When you’re pinching every penny until it screams, it’s hard to stop feeling deprived.  It’s much easier to let the green-eyed monster of jealousy rear its ugly head.   Self-pity and jealousy are great thieves of happiness.   Get a grip on those emotions and you will be on your way to a better place both emotionally and financially.

How to Stop Feeling Deprived

Remember the positive things in your life.  It can be really hard to keep a positive attitude when money flies out the door faster than you can bring it in.  Try to take a few moments to write down all of the good things you have in your life.  Chances are you have much more to be thankful for than you think.  And I would imagine that most of the things that end up on your list are not things you can find at the store.  Good health, a roof over your head, enough food to eat, and family and friends, are all blessings we should remember to be grateful for.

Broaden your perspective.   Still need a few reminders of why life is better than you think.  Try out the Global Rich List which allows you to compare your annual income to those of other countries.  The things we take for granted seem a bit ridiculous when you realize that someone in Zimbabwe may have to work for hours for them.

Keep the end goal in mind.  You may be struggling now, but if you’ve set some smart goals, you know that you won’t struggle forever.  Whether you’re working to pay off debt or scrimping to save for something special, remember to keep your goals in mind.  Post pictures of your goals where you can see them.  Keep a journal and write about how you will feel when you reach those goals.  Break your big goals into mini goals so that you can celebrate your progress.

Get creative.   All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.  If all you’re every doing is scrimping and saving, you’ve got to get creative.  Discover things you can do for free or minimal cost for entertainment.  From free concerts to the public library, there are plenty of low-cost ways to feel culturally rich. Use services like Swagbucks to earn free gift cards that you can use to treat yourself occasionally.  Frugality isn’t about depriving yourself of things.  It’s about getting creative so that you can do more with less.

Don’t give up.   Getting out of debt and reaching financial propserity is a marathon, not a sprint.  There will be miles of the journey that are so hard you won’t be sure you can keep going.  But I’m hear on the sidelines cheering you on, telling you “Don’t give up.”  Crossing the finish line and becoming debt-free is a freedom unlike any other.  It is worth every ache and pain you have along the way.

What are some things that you do when you are feeling deprived?  Please share your tips.