Treat Yourself, Don't Cheat Yourself: A Smart Spending Strategy
My mom always says, "Treat yourself, don't cheat yourself." It's simple, but it carries so much wisdom. What she means is that we don't live to work. We work to live, to enjoy life, and to experience the fruits of our labor. If there's something you want or need, why deprive yourself of it? Now, before you think this is permission for reckless spending, let me be clear. My mom has always been smart with money. This isn't about throwing caution to the wind. It's about balance. It's a gentle reminder that taking care of your responsibilities and paying your bills is important, but that's not what life is all about. If you've had your eye on something and you can reasonably afford it, get it. If you have a taste for a particular meal and you usually cook at home, who says you can't dine out from time to time? I absolutely love this mindset, and I want to take it a step further. The Match-Your-Treat Strategy What if treating yourself do...