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 doesn't mean cheating yourself? Here's my twist: for every "treat," you prevent cheating your future self by matching the spend with a save.

Stay with me here. Let's say you decided to purchase a $50 pair of shoes. What if you also added $50 to your savings account at the same time? Now we're talking! You're enjoying something nice today while also investing in your tomorrow.

When Money Is a Little Tight

I get it. Not everyone can match dollar-for-dollar every time. That's okay! The beauty of this strategy is its flexibility.

If money is a little tight, you could buy those $50 shoes and put half that amount in savings, so $25. Or maybe you wanted to treat yourself to a nice meal. Instead of spending $40 on dining out, you could opt for a $20 meal and put $20 into savings.

The point isn't the specific amount. It's the action. It's the effort. It's the intention behind it.

Why This Works

This approach does something powerful: it creates a positive association with saving. Instead of feeling like you have to choose between enjoying life now and securing your future, you're doing both. You're treating yourself today AND tomorrow.

Every time you indulge in something special, you're simultaneously building your financial cushion. Your savings grow while you also reap the rewards of your hard work. It's not about deprivation or guilt. It's about intentionality and balance.

Making It Work for You

Here are some ways to implement this strategy:

Start Small: Even if you can only match 25% of your treat spending, that's still progress. A $60 purchase with a $15 savings contribution is better than no savings at all.

Set Your Own Rules: Maybe you match dollar-for-dollar on wants but not on needs. Or perhaps you match on dining out but not on necessary clothing. You decide what works for your budget and lifestyle.

Automate When Possible: If you know you're going to treat yourself, set up an automatic transfer to savings for the same day. It removes the temptation to skip the savings part.

Celebrate Both Wins: Don't just enjoy the treat. Take a moment to acknowledge that you also moved closer to your financial goals. That's worth celebrating.

The Bottom Line

You work hard for your money. You deserve to enjoy it. But you also deserve financial security and peace of mind. This "match your treat" approach lets you have both.

It doesn't matter if you're matching $5 or $500. What matters is that you're building a habit of honoring both your present self and your future self. You're allowing your savings to grow while also enjoying the life you're working so hard to build.

✨Matching your treat, now that's managing money like a BIG boss😉.✨

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