If you’ve ever visited a dietary expert to get tips on how to eat well, you might have been told, “Everything in moderation.” After all, unless you have a health problem that makes it unwise to consume certain foods or ingredients, it’s usually okay to indulge in favorite treats from time to time. Moderation is also a key principle when it comes to staying entertained. Luckily, in that case, moderation doesn’t equal boredom or feeling like you’re missing out.
Use Gift Cards to Keep Spending in Check
Gift cards are quite convenient because they usually don’t expire. Also, you can buy them to use towards certain types of entertaining merchandise or services. For example, if you want to treat yourself to going to see a new release at the cinema but hate the stunning realization of how much you typically spend on treats at the concession stand, purchase a theater gift card. Keep the specified amount in mind as you get some movie treats, and only use the gift card to pay.
Splurge Occasionally, and Especially When Warranted
Some people become so dedicated to frugality that they try to make the principle extend into every facet of their lives, including entertaining diversions. But, far too often, they take frugality to mean complete deprivation. Going back to the example of dietary moderation, consider how it’s probably okay to eat a small piece of chocolate cake after dinner, but you probably shouldn’t have three.
There are some occasions when splurging is definitely okay, especially if you’re purchasing certain items. Maybe you’re about to go on the trip of a lifetime with a spouse but only have the low-quality camera on your phone to use for taking pictures. In that case, it might be a good idea to think about buying at least a moderately priced digital camera that’ll see you through many more memorable occasions than just that single trip.
Determining when to splurge isn’t easy, but it usually becomes simpler when you prioritize what’s important to you. If you thoroughly treasure photographs from years past because you love the memories they trigger, the digital camera is a smart investment.
Have Healthy Expectations
Setting realistic expectations about what you want to get from entertainment-based spending is also crucial. That’s especially true when you’re doing something fun that has an element of chance, like gambling. There are many places where you can gamble in person, but online casinos are also rising in popularity. No matter how you choose to try your luck, remember that winning isn’t everything.
It certainly feels great to win, but you might feel the exact opposite after suffering a crushing loss during a card game. When you’re focusing on having fun and not on winning, you won’t spend more money than you can afford. Gambling with a friend who is also trying to have fun while maintaining the right mindset could also stop you from spending more than you planned.
As you can see from these tips, it’s definitely possible to have a good time in reasonable ways without draining your bank account. Start practicing them today to live well without feeling deprived.