Sticking with Your Budget Through Thick and Thin
The best way to stay motivated when you're weary from saving every spare dime is to have already decided from the get-go that you're going to stick to your budget no matter what. This is called discipline — deciding that, no matter who tries to influence you, you're going to reach your financial goals and not let anything or anyone get you off track.
Unfortunately, discipline isn't easy, and if you don't make a full commitment to your budget when you establish it, you may find yourself opting for small pleasures now that get you further into debt, put you back in debt after you've gotten out, or simply delay reaching your financial goals for that many more months or years.
If that's the case, decide now — right this very minute — that you're going to stick to your budget no matter what.
When you're establishing financial goals, don't use words or phrases like “try,” “would like to,” or “might.” State your goals as strongly as you can: “I will pay off my credit card debt by September of next year,” instead of “I'll try to pay off my credit cards” or “I'd like to pay off my credit cards.” The primary difference is in the attitude you take about your ability to control your finances.
