Sometimes, I find that I'm working so hard to be good and not blow my budget that I start to feel deprived and depressed. We all know its hard work to become debt free and we all are used to doing without to get there.

That's the point where the little voice inside me says, "forget all this, you deserve something to make you feel good about yourself". Oh boy, I admit I have fallen into this trap more than once.

A splurge, no matter what size, can mean potentially wiping out everything good you have been trying to accomplish. We have all blown our carefully prepared budgets and, while we got some instant gratification, sooner or later we have to wake up on the bottom again. That's when the "poor, pitiful me" routine kicks in along with denial.

These emotions can sabotage your efforts, undermine your goals and make you want to give up. Avoid comparing yourself to others, too.

If you constantly focus on what you don't have or how you measure up to your friends, you're going to feel rotten.

You'll become judgmental of others, as well. Most frugal people who successfully reach their goals reward themselves. It might be budgeted in as a regular allowance, or sometimes it's a small indulgence or splurge. These indulgences can make your hard work in other areas easier to bear. You'll also be less likely to overindulge and overspend. Enjoy your life and live a little. Just be sensible and don't buy what you can't afford.

What little things do you do that keep you from feeling poor?

Here are a few things I try.

THROW A PARTY: Even the simplest of get-togethers helps to break up your frugality into manageable chunks of time. It doesn't need to be fancy. It can be a potluck party or a night of playing board games or cards. It gives you time to simply enjoy what your hard work allows you to do.

SALON TIME: Don't underestimate the value of going to the salon. Having your nails done or eyebrows waxed isn't expensive. It's something you can look forward to. You'll feel good and look great, too. I find that the little things I do such as an at-home facial, doing my own hair color, keeping my home nice, neat and clean and our clothes in good condition and pressed when we go out are the things that actually make me feel rich. I don't miss the recreational shopping I used to do.

TREATS: Buy secondhand or discounted supplies to pamper yourself. I picked up the cutest shoulder bag in our thrift store for just $4.00 plus some tax. True, the bag is not new but it is new to me and that's what is important. If I'm really feeling deprived, I'll nibble on some chocolate, go to local festivals that are free or next to free, picnic with homemade gourmet fare, light a fire in the fireplace at home and cuddle with my husband, or give my feet a hot paraffin wax treatment while drinking homemade mocha and reading a magazine I got from a recent magazine swap.

By rewarding myself periodically, I find that I feel better about myself. I don't do well with deprivation and I need a change in lifestyle at times. Its okay to reward yourself as long as the reward isn't something that's going to bring you down once the initial high is over. Sometimes the little things mean the most.

Good luck to you in your journey to become debt free!

Kimberly Johns

Kimberly is enrolled on the CareOne Debt Management Plan (DMP). Kimberly is very active in the Community Forums, some of you may recognize her Community user name; Tiquie. Recently retired, Kim shares how she and her husband manage the financial challenges of living on a fixed income in their home state of Illinois. The John's have found some really creative and fun ways to offset the limitations of a retirement income. Kimberly generously shares smart and tested tips in her A Straight Talk on Debt blogs! Compensated Blogger for CareOne Debt Relief Services.