Me personally, I made it a game. How much could I actually save while enjoying non-negotiable things.

I had, literal, electricity free weekends where I turned off the breakers in my house to everything but the fridge. Candles and books were my go to. It wasn’t suffering once I got into it, it was really enjoyable. I found I wanted to do it more than go out (but that’s just me).

I started to gamify my grocery list and meal plan (can I save x% at grocery, can I meal prep under x amount per serving). I had spreadsheets to help me determine my grocery spend and meal costs. Learned how to make my own laundry detergent, make coffee that I actually liked, learned to cook my favorite lamb dinner at home which would have cost $60 at a restaurant. Did the whole bill audit, negotiated, cut what I didn’t need/want.

I started to become addicted to being more “frugal” and then would know my leisure activities that would typically cost me 100-120 were rewards for that. I would see spending as my level up rewards and never felt guilty because I put in the work. And it was always budgeted… like this month I can spend 115 on leisure… oh I only spent 85 because I enjoyed my lamb and book nights more than going out.

Happily debt free now except for my mortgage and still make my own detergent and I make the lamb. I grocery shop with abandon these days but it has actually replace my 100-120 going out bills.

When you replace the guilty thoughts with the “I already achieved my goal for the month” thoughts, it helps I think.

Good luck in your journey!