Sometimes it feels like there's never enough money coming in, regardless of how meticulously you've planned, scrimped and saved. Other times, it feels like all the fun things in life are "too expensive" to indulge in. How can we cope with these problems?

For one thing, frugal living shouldn't be a financial prison. We're all humans and need to treat ourselves once in a while, so you needn't feel guilty about every little splurge. By allowing yourself a few smaller luxuries, it becomes easier to cut back on larger ones. Moderation is the key.

On the other hand, if pricey gadgets and gizmos are your only source of joy in life, it may be a sign that your priorities are misaligned, which in the long-run will be damaging to both your finances and your well-being (and will make frugal living nearly impossible). If you notice these tendencies in yourself, spend this month discovering at least 10 free things (activities, people, experiences, etc.) that bring you real joy in life.

Unlike a budget, real life can be quite unstructured and unpredictable. Again, you don't need to feel guilty when unexpected expenses arise that you haven't budgeted for. Learn from the experience and, if possible, put a cushion in your budget for the next month that is designated for emergencies.