There might be affiliate links in this post. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. Read my disclosure policy here.
It’s a wonderful thing to be able to have fun on the weekend.
How much you spend is determined by what you do on that weekend.
If you don’t keep track of your spending by using a free online calculator, a budget, Mint.com, or whatever works for you then you won’t have a ballpark number of how many dollars can depart from your wallet.
It also makes your spending erratic, which is something you need to get a handle on.
This can quickly throw off your budget and your financial goals.
Don’t miss out on an enjoyable weekend. Learn how to save while splurging!
The Secret to Saving While Splurging
Here goes. . .
If you have made a budget, one mistake that people make is not remembering how much they planned to spend. It all looks good in theory and on paper but the hard part is actually sticking with the allotted amounts once you are out. I realized that we were overspending on the weekend. Eating out was quickly draining the entertainment category of our budget. I had to figure out a way to enjoy ourselves without spending so much.
So, I came up with a creative plan. Since dessert is my family’s favorite part of the meal, I decided that we would plot out our very own “dessert tour”. I made each person in my family come up with one location that we’ve been meaning to try.
We picked four different dessert places and plotted out which one we would go to each weekend. I normally make my own tour when I travel, but I thought it would be fun to do something like this every weekend this month. It organized our outings and gave us something to look forward to doing.
So instead of dropping 400 dollars a month on random restaurants, we decided to just splurge on dessert. We ate at home and then looked forward to trying a special treat out each weekend. So instead of spending 100 dollars every week, we only spent ten. I can now put that money away for a long-term goal like retirement. (See what that savings can add up to over time below.)
Even though a cupcake for $2.50 seems high, when you buy 4 for $10, you are saving $90 that weekend because you are spending less than you normally would. That’s a savings of $360 a month! I’m kicking myself for not trying this sooner.
If you put the amount in an investment calculator that 360 a month could quickly turn into 23,331.00.
Do that calculating yourself with this compound interest calculator.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking to cut back, you can still have fun and do something on the weekend without going overboard. Plan your special splurges in advance so you can have fun without spending too much. Make a spending plan and stick to it. If you put that savings away for retirement, see how it can grow using the calculator below.
Have an Awesome Weekend for Less with a Latte
Low-Cost Thing to Do on the Weekend: Exercise
Low-Cost Thing to Do on the Weekend: Fudge it
Low-Cost Thing to Do on the Weekend: Beverage Style
“I like your blog. I especially like this latest one on how you use your receipt on your fridge. Brilliant!”-Sylvia Martinez of SMartinez Media, former Editor-in-Chief at Latina Magazine
Love it! Unfortunately, with my energy issues, we have to assume there will be days that we need to eat out, or just can’t stand the thought of what’s already in the fridge because we’re spoiled.
But I’m working on it and am even (gasp) cooking again. For however long that lasts.
Really clever approach there. Substitution, not subtraction, of the things we like in our budgets, can have a more success and impact.
Awesome idea! This is definitely a new approach I haven’t really thought of before. Might try it!
Glad you liked it. : )