Sticking to a savings plan

[Anonymous]

Looking for any tips to stick to the savings plan. I have a 3 year plan laid out, but I can see how easy it would be to just go off course a little here and a little there. I don't want to miss out on life, but I do want to save x amount for some home renovations. We already move money automatically out of checking and into a savings account. But it seems too easy to just reduce the amount one month or take some out of savings when needed. Do I just lack enough will power? FWIW, we have been saving for a purpose for 5 years (house purchase) and I'm kind of tired of it. Retirement saving is separate and I have no desire to touch that, but I'd love to live it up a bit more.

Any advice?

[Anonymous]

For me, the trick is NOT to rely on will power. You should try to learn to enjoy saving. It helps to only spend/save on things that are important to you. If saving for your home renovations is difficult, then maybe you shouldn't because you just don't value it. (That sounds obnoxious, but I don't mean it to be. Maybe someone else can rephrase?)

[Anonymous]

Once the money enters our savings account it's never touched. Never.

The only circumstance I see to tapping into that money would be a medical emergency.

To save, you need discipline. You are not a child, your savings are not cookies. Just get it into your head you have to save.

[Anonymous]

I agree, maybe you need a break from saving for a bit or maybe you need to save a little less so you have more discretionary income. If you start to feel resentful it isn't going to help in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Pp here- I agree w/ the 2nd poster.

[Anonymous]

Schedule your rewards. "When I've saved another $500, I'll get my nails done/go to a movie/buy some fancy chocolates."

[Anonymous]

I agree with most of what the pps have said, OP. Saving has to be a choice, and one that you are committed to and comfortable with.

The answer to whether you should "live it up" more depends on how much you live it up now- is your lifestyle so spartan that it is unsustainable, or are you not disciplined enough? Do you go out to movies and to eat a lot, or once in a blue moon? Do you shop for new clothes once a month, or once a season? It sort of all depends on what you think is reasonable, and whether you want a bunch of dcums judging whether what you do is reasonable.