There’s nothing quite like a night out on the town with friends to burn a hole in your pocketbook. In fact, hanging out with people — even a significant other — who aren’t trying to save money can put a serious damper on any budget you might have in place. But there are some great ways to maintain your savings plan while also enjoying the finer things! To see my ideas, read more.

• It’s not a bad idea to let your friends know that you’re trying to save money. You don’t have to break the news, but casually mention it when you talk to them so they won’t be surprised when you don’t shell out for a spa weekend.
• Eating out can get expensive, fast, especially if it’s a group dinner. While you can always be the girl that comes along and just orders an iced tea, I think it’s much better to simply tell your friends that you’ll meet them afterwards for a drink.
• Better yet, try hosting something at your house. If they want to do dinner, try a potluck-style meal. If they’re all about going to the movies, offer up your couch for a movie night — popcorn is cheap.
• For whatever reason, nighttime activities always end up being more expensive than doing something during the day. Next time you skip the Friday night meet-up, try to plan a Saturday morning walk or Sunday afternoon picnic since both can be as cheap as you need them to be.
• Don’t feel like you have to say no if your friends want to pay for something on behalf of you. Often if a friend knows you're grappling with money concerns, she’ll be happy to pay your way just to enjoy your company. Obviously making a habit of this isn’t a great idea, but it really is OK to take her up on it once and a while.

It may get tricky, but stick to your budget! Keep your mind on the bigger picture and use your growing savings account as a reminder of what your sacrifices are accomplishing.

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