Serious question, does a strict budget actually save you money or just make you miserable?

I was at a diner with my wife last Tuesday, and the total came to $38. We both sat there staring at it because our budget says we can't go over $30 for eating out. Honestly, I ended up paying it but felt guilty the whole night. My wife argues that the budget keeps us from overspending, and she has a point since we saved $200 last month. But ngl, I wonder if being that rigid just makes us avoid stuff we enjoy. Then I think about that time I splurged $15 on a nice coffee and it threw off my whole weekly plan. So what's the middle ground here? Does anyone else feel like a strict budget backfires sometimes or am I just weak on self control?

2 comments

2 Comments

webb.val1mo ago

That $38 diner guilt hits different, but maybe loosen the food line and keep the rest tight.

aarons361mo ago

bro $38 for a diner meal is absolutely insane. i can get a full breakfast plate with two eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and toast for like half that where i'm at. what did you even order, a gold plated omelette? that's the kind of price tag that makes me double check the menu before i sit down next time.