BFFs- Your Secret Budget Tool

I’m so guilty of this, as I think many of us are. With the few hours we have in a day to march through work, errands and family obligations, we tend to neglect our friendships.

While it may seem like a time-management friendly move in the short term to direct your efforts elsewhere, you are not doing yourself any favours by not actively maintaining your friendships- especially if you are trying to manage debt and stick to a budget.

Your friends may actually mean the difference between you keeping to your budget.

Long Term Living

Living within your budget is a long term proposition that requires daily commitment and lifestyle changes. And it can be challenging. Very challenging.

You are taking steps to incorporate positive changes into your life. It’s only going to help you to have as many people who are as invested in your personal success as you are-like your friends-to cheer you along the way.

Pragmatic Role

Friends who support your efforts to maintain your budget will be more supportive towards helping your fill your calendar with budget-friendly events and practices.

They can also help you with offering their support through child care and helping you shop smart- by keeping an eye for deals on the radar.

Celebrate, Encourage, Perspective

Given that debt management is a marathon race, not a sprint, it is important for you to have the ability to recognize your success in small milestones along the way. The problem is, when you are too close to the situation (as you and your spouse likely are) you may not take the time to pause and celebrate. If others are proud of you, chances are you will be too.

By the same token, should you fall off the budget bandwagon,  your friends can help dust you off, remind you of your goal and your success to date, and to help frame your success and failures in a helpful context. They can spur you on to keep going.

Like Minds

If you are lucky enough to have a friend who shares similar goals, you can shop together and make use of discounts for buying in bulk and 2-for-1 deals.

There are often discounts for products and services offered if you “refer-a-friend”, offering you both a discount (at least once).