For me its being VERY HONEST with myself about how much money it really costs me to live. For some reason when I budget my allowance to spend for the month, I am feeling strong, dedicated, and arrogant. I refuse to admit that I will have at least 3 undeniable cravings for thai food, and that if I go out with my girlfriends I will spend at least $50 that night.
Instead- arrogant, money-saving dedicationist me thinks to myself "oh no, thai food is such a waste of money. I will only get my delicious fattening treat ONCE this month. Thai food-you get $15 for ONE meal. "
I also say to myself "hmmmm...I should give myself an extra $100 in case I go out with the girls this month once or twice- but what if I dont go out with them? Thats $100 that will get wasted on stupid stuff like thai food cuz it's sitting in my wallet. And I have a cc bill right here that needs to be paid now. I'll just put the whole $100 on the credit card."
I convince myself to live on a very low monthly allowance, and of course I then cant make it through the month and go to my emergency fund, or the cc and get in a tad deeper and become even more unrealistic with my budget the next month.
So I know my problem...I am working hard to correct the problem.
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