It is not completely impossible to splurge a little on yourself, even if you are on a strict budget. You can incorporate a one-at-a-time spending spree no matter how tight your budget is. If you have your eye or heart set on a big-priced item that safeyou just have to have but it is not required to sustain life, save your cash before you buy it. Every penny loose in your pocket, every nickel you find in the car, can be used to make the purchase.

A friend of mine uses this system for everything, including presents that she purchases outside the realm of grocery and healthcare items. She has a series of envelopes stored in a safe in her home. Every year she marks a series of envelopes with the name and birth date of everyone she buys for, along with special envelopes for the new purse, new shoes, or whatever other item she considers a luxury, and the amount she intends to spend.  There are also envelopes earmarked for her vacation funds and any side trips she plans to take.

Every pay day, a set amount of money is taken from the paycheck and distributed equally into each envelope. The amount she takes from her check has been pre-determined based on her bills and other budget considerations. The amount is not that large each two weeks, but over time it builds up. When she has saved the amount of cash she needs to make the purchase, she goes shopping! She shops without the guilt, without the credit card bills, without the worries of being able to afford it. She doesn’t worry about being able to buy gifts for loved ones and she never misses a birthday or special occasion.

While it may take longer to actually buy the item you desire, financially it is well-worth the wait. Impulse buys are ceased and there is plenty of time to mull the purchase over beforehand. It also makes it easier to focus on saving money. If you have a set goal of $200 to buy the new television set you want, it is easier to focus on that $200.

If you are living on a tight budget, think of simple ways to supplement your income in order to contribute more money to your envelopes. Mow the neighbor’s lawn, cook dinner for an elderly couple, or run errands for a busy parent. You may not get rich from odd jobs but you can certainly fill up your envelopes faster.