spending habits and self-care

GUEST BLOGGER: EMMA PARKHURST

In the age of self-care, “treat yourself” has become an increasingly popular mantra over the past couple of years. The general gist of the saying is that we should spend money to increase our own happiness. While it may feel good to reward ourselves and splurge on this or that, treating ourselves can quickly get out of hand if we are not aware of our spending habits. There can be a lot of stress that comes along with personal finances, so how can we practice good money habits but still treat ourselves? Consider these tips to help transform your relationship with money and self-care:

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1. Check-in before you check out: set an intention with your money goals. The next time you feel the urge to splurge, take a moment to check-in with your emotional state. Why do you want it? Is this an attempt to satisfy a restlessness or boredom in your day? How will spending this money affect your weekly budget? Asking ourselves these questions can be a great way to hold ourselves accountable for our financial well-being.
2. Categorize expenses: taking time to go over your spending and identifying categories (like groceries, eating out, entertainment or SELF-CARE) can be a critical step to avoid the stresses that sometimes come with personal finances. The key here is to make sure every expense fits in somewhere – if we budget for self-care then we can truly treat ourselves without sacrificing our budget! Check out this past blog post for more information about categorizing expenses and other tips to stick to a budget.
3. Personal allowance: another great tip to plan for self-care expenses is to set aside a certain amount of money each month.  That way we can choose to spend (or save) on a self-care splurge of our choice.
4. Cheaper alternatives: if you’re looking to rein in your spending habits but your version of self-care requires spending money, consider opting for budget-friendly alternatives. Rather than an all-day spa package, choose just the massage or facial – whichever gives you the greatest relaxation benefits. Take it to the next level and do a DIY spa night. You’ll still get the fun of going to the spa but you’ll save on the bill.
5. Rethink self-care: don’t forget that there are other forms of self-care that are cost free! The next time you need to recharge and reduce stress, consider other methods of self-care that don’t require money: take a walk, laugh (even if you don’t feel like it), listen to music or a podcast, meditate, read a book, the possibilities are endless! What are your favorite ways to treat yourself without breaking the bank?