Does this scenario sound familiar? It’s Saturday night, and your entertainment budget is somewhere between zero and Dollar Menu. This morning, you resolved to stick to your budget and enjoy a quiet night in.

And then you got “the text.” You know it well. It’s the one that informs you your friends are planning to go out to dinner. Or to the movies. Or bowling. And you’re invited. Suddenly your plans to enjoy leftovers, Netflix, and the couch seem incredibly lame.

So, what do you do?

If you’ve ever caved under pressure, fearing judgment, laughter or rejection from your friends, this post is for you. Here are five suggestions on how to deal with the ongoing battle between your financial goals and your social life.

Plan

Unless an old friend suddenly flew into town without notice, you probably could have foreseen that “surprise” text. Learn to anticipate and plan accordingly. This could mean setting aside a few dollars a day during the week and diligently packing your lunch so you can enjoy a Saturday night out.

Initiate

If you find yourself continually frustrated by your friends’ expensive taste, take matters into your own hands. Before they have a chance to invite you to another fancy restaurant or pricey concert, plan your own night out—one that caters to your budget.

Be Honest

Making excuses for why you can’t go out is not only exhausting and dishonest, it doesn’t do you or your friends any favors.

As someone who is still battling debt, I’ve found that honesty is the best way to go. Don’t let shame and pride come between you and your friends and family. Friends worth keeping will understand. Plus, once they know you’re on a strict budget, they’ll be more likely to work with you to plan inexpensive activities. And, who knows? They might be in debt, too. Your refreshing honesty may inspire them to get on financial track.

Go Public

This idea takes the “Be Honest” step to the next level. If you’ve shared your financial situation with close friends and family, but you’re still getting an invite overload from coworkers or acquaintances, it might be time to speak up. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of people in my life who are working towards financial peace. A few months ago, I wrote a brief Facebook post upon paying off my very last credit card. I explained that I was still working to eliminate debt, but that the sacrifice is worth the struggle. I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support shown by friends and acquaintances, many of whom were relieved to see they weren’t alone in their battle with debt.

I compare the “Go Public” tactic with trying to lose weight. Have you ever tried dieting without telling anyone? It’s brutal! The minute you decide to cut back, doughnuts will appear at the office. Your spouse will bring home a large pizza for dinner. Carrier pigeons will drop baskets of French fries at your doorstep. (OK, maybe not the last one, but you get the idea.) Dieticians recommend getting an exercise buddy to hold you accountable and telling everyone about your weight loss goals. That way, your friends and coworkers can be encouraging rather than tempting. The same is true when it comes to your budget.

Give Thanks

This may be the toughest step of all, but it’s also the most important. I know how hard it is to say “no.” I’ve missed out on countless nights out, several family vacations and even one of my best friend’s weddings—one that would have required a plane ticket and a hotel stay that I just couldn’t afford. It wasn’t easy. I felt pretty terrible at the time. But I would feel even worse had I dragged my family further into debt.
When you catch yourself wallowing over what you can’t do, make a decision to thank God for what you can do. Colossians 3:17 says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

If that means giving thanks for your leftover food, or your ability to walk to the park, or that Redbox promo code you just got, do it. A thankful heart could make all the difference in the world.

That Saturday night text is coming. It’s only a matter of time. It may never be easy to do the right thing, but if you plan, initiate, answer honestly, go public and give thanks, you’ll be well on your way to financial peace. And that’s something worth fighting for.
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