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I Say It As I See It

I’ve been writing about budgets and spending plans and saving and paying down debt for 18 years, and one of the most common excuses I hear for the reason someone went over budget or failed to save is because "this month there is a birthday/anniversary/special occasion/holiday".

I say it as I see it people: you know New Year’s is on January 1st every year. You know Christmas Day is the 25th December every year. You know when your kids’ birthdays are and when your anniversary is. 

We all know these important dates in our lives; these dates don’t change.

These things fall on the same date, in the same month, every single year. After year. After year.

So why in the world are you surprised when they come around? And more importantly, why in the world are you letting these things ruin your budget?

Take Christmas for example. It never changes. December 25, every year. And yet December is the busiest shopping month of the year, with shoppers going crazy, buying things they don't want, need, like or can afford because they forgot to budget for this annual recurring event!
“If you always do what you’ve always done,
​you’ll always get what you’ve always got.”
It's time to accept the truth: stop making excuses for not being able to stick to your budget and to stick to and start truly living the Cheapskates way. It's time to make the changes you need to your spending so you can reach your goal of living life debt free, cashed up and laughing.

There's that saying “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” 

So, if you want to always be scratching for the money for those "unexpected" expenses; if you always want to live pay-to-pay; if you always want to have the threat of debt hanging over your head, then don't make any changes. Just keep doing what you've always done.

But if you want to live a different life; if you'd like to go to sleep secure in the knowledge that if a bill comes in you can pay it; that if there is an emergency then you have it covered by your emergency fund, and the kids' birthdays, your anniversary and Christmas are well and truly budgeted for, it's time to make a plan.

Make 2018 the year you are the change you want to be in your financial life.

Stop making excuses and start making those changes. One at a time is fine - just start them. Now. 

And don't forget to put those "surprise" expenses into your spending plan!
Related Articles
​It's Time to Get Real About Debt Part 1
Its Time to Get Real About Debt Part 2
7 Ways to Spend the Rest of Your Life Debt-Free
Related Printables
Savings Goal Record
Simple Monthly Spending Plan
Slash Expenses Worksheet

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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files