There are obstacles to any major change in behavior, whether it’s losing weight, making a career change, or saving money. So once you’ve started a new spending plan, how do you resist the temptation to backslide into old habits? Here are a few tips I…

There are obstacles to any major change in behavior, whether it’s losing weight, making a career change, or saving money. So once you’ve started a new spending plan, how do you resist the temptation to backslide into old habits? Here are a few tips I use to keep my spending plans on track:

Keep focused on your long-term goal. So you’ve decided to reduce your spending to achieve a specific goal, whether it’s to slash debt, increase savings, or afford a new car or dream vacation. Now you need to take action to motivate yourself to fulfill that goal.

Whether it’s writing down daily reminders or pinning photos somewhere that you will see them every day, keeping that goal at the forefront of your mind will help you stick to your budget.

Find others with similar goals and band together. Bringing your lunch to work and avoiding dining out is a good way to cut expenses, so find co-workers and others who are looking to do the same. Conversely, avoid hanging out with the crowd that eats out two or three times a week.

Find ways to reward yourself for short-term achievements. If your goal...