Around 3 months ago my main laptop broke. Took it to repair and it seems it was burned or something, so repairing would essentially be and cost the same as a new one.
I had a backup laptop that I have been using to work, it is old and slow but it gets the job done. I told myself that I should wait a little bit and do some research before buying a new main laptop, but as time went on I realized I could live without a “good computer” (this backup one is slow and big, but gets work done).
So I decided to wait and save money as much as I can, I told myself “hold on just another week” and another week passed without buying a new laptop. After I received my salary, I was ready to compromise a big chunk by buying a new laptop, but I told myself “hold on another week” and it felt good having that cash in my account, instead of buying a new laptop.
After that I got more money and could more easily buy a better laptop and more portable machine, but I decided to increase my savings. I do not order food as much and I cancelled some subscription services (I tell myself I will subscribe again when I have a new laptop, because the backup one I can’t use it in bed).
At this point I realized I am lying to myself when I say “ok, I will buy it later” but who cares?! I have learned to save money! I had so many small expenses that added up and I was always struggling when I had to travel, or when I needed money “for real”, but for the past 3 months it all became easy. Because I do not spend money on small stuff (nor big stuff for the matter) I don’t get that “money anxiety” anymore because I know I have emergency savings if I happen to need, because I have learned to save.