Money Saving Monday: Lower Your Expectations

<a href=”https://www.familyfriendlyfrugality.com/about/about-me-just-a-mommy-saving-money/”alt=”www.familyfriendlyfrugality.com” target=””_blank””><img src=”http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/BarrenMind/MoneySavingcopy.jpg” /></a>

I write a lot about different ways to save money. I am a firm believer that most people have areas of their budget that they can cut costs from. What if you can’t? What if you are already living bare bones, no wiggle room, down on your luck? Maybe it’s by choice, maybe it’s not. You lost your job, you chose to stay home with the kids, you had an emergency that ate all your income, etc. Point is, you don’t need money saving tips because you are already doing all you can. Frugality is a way of life for you. You have signed up for every survey company, started a money making blog, and are using your talents to make more money and it still just isn’t enough.

What now? At this point all you can do is change your expectations. Now this isn’t The Secret. I’m not telling you that with the power of positive thinking all of your dreams will come true. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t…but a change of mindset and expectations can do a lot for your self esteem. It might not fix your situation, but hopefully it will make you feel better about it.

Here are a few tips to help you change your expectations and your frame of mind in this season of your life:

1. Remember that this IS just a season of your life. You didn’t have these struggles before and it’s Saving Monday Blog Hoplikely with hard work and perseverance you won’t have them again. Temporary is the word you need to focus on. This is temporary.
2. When our lives are simpler and less full of “stuff” we have more time for the things that really matter. Faith, family and friends are really all we need. Become a frugal mommy and pursue more family oriented fun. You don’t have to spend big bucks to enjoy the things that matter most in life.
3. Focus on what is going right. Chances are if you are reading this on the internet…you have some good things going on in your life and you aren’t living under a bridge.
4. Try not to compare the past to the present. Chances are in your younger days you didn’t have the responsibilities you have now. You remember those party days when you could go to a movie every weekend and eat out every night. Those days are gone. If you really think about it, they probably weren’t as fulfilling as you are romanticizing them to be anyway. So try not to compare.
5. Know you aren’t alone. There isn’t a one of us that hasn’t felt the effects of today’s tough economy. No matter whom you are, gas still costs more than it used to. Bread and milk are still more expensive than they used to be, no matter if you are living in a tiny apartment or a huge mansion.

I will say, as a Christian…I’ve never been so down that God couldn’t lift me right back up. Prayer and faith have gotten me through some of my darkest days. My life is been far from tragedy free and my faith has pulled me through all of it. Never discount the power of prayer.

I’m no financial guru. We don’t make 6 figure incomes or have oodles of cash in our bank account. I’ve been working our budget from one income for years now. We still make mistakes, overspend and have tough times. So if you ever need help, advice or even a shoulder to cry on…email me heather @ familyfriendlyfrugality.com.

Want to learn a bit more about Family Friendly Frugality? Learn more about our family blog by reading our about me post. Or jump in head first and learn how to save money grocery shopping, play the drugstore game, or catch up on the hottest deals!