I’m on a roll with the whole Uber Frugal, Dry July and I love it!  When we set up the rules for this month we made one exception for our friend’s birthday party that’s coming up on Thursday night.  Even though a lot of what I’ve read says you need to tell your friends “too bad”, we do not have any interest in that.  Everyone we know is really busy, so the few times a year we see someone is well worth the money and calories.

That said, I am really looking forward to going out and seeing friends, but I am having anxiety about breaking my routine.  I think my anxiety is coming from the all or nothing mentality that is so prevalent in dieting culture.  I don’t know if I’m afraid I’ll fall off the wagon completely, or if I am just afraid to lose momentum.  Either way, one planned get together with friends to celebrate someone else this month will not derail all my progress. Seeing friends always gives me a chance to see beyond myself and my worries and it is invaluable.

There are other ways to mitigate costs and calories besides becoming a hermit.  I can get a ride there instead of taking Lyft, and I can alternate water and wine like they tell you to do anyway.  If I eat before I go, it’s not a dinner party, then I can really control the calories and alleviate some of the decision making on the spot.  I will not be skipping my Lyft ride home, that’s for sure!  Safety is not negotiable.

P.S.

I went to the party and I had a great time!  I hadn’t seen some of my friends in months and it was wonderful to catch up.  I spent less than I would have in the past and I had just as much fun.  In fact, because I no longer take going out for granted I think I enjoyed it even more.

Do your thrifty best!

Lisa