Why Most Budget Cuts Fail Within Three Months
People start with enthusiasm. They slash spending across the board, feeling motivated and determined. Then reality hits around week eight.
I've watched this pattern repeat itself dozens of times. The issue isn't willpower or commitment. It's that aggressive cuts create an unsustainable situation. You're essentially asking yourself to maintain behaviours that feel punishing.
The families who succeed do something different. They identify one or two areas where cuts won't hurt much, then gradually expand from there. Someone might realise they don't actually enjoy their gym membership but kept it out of guilt. That's an easy win. Or they notice they're paying for streaming services they haven't opened in months.
These aren't revolutionary insights, I know. But starting small creates momentum without the backlash that comes from trying to change everything at once. You build confidence through small successes rather than burning out from trying to be perfect.
The other thing that works is being specific about what you're protecting. If Friday night takeaway matters to your family's happiness, keep it. Find savings elsewhere. Budget cuts that remove everything you enjoy become unsustainable quickly.
