I recently started thinking about establishing a mental health savings plan. A mental health savings plan is the same things as a entertainment fund or a vacation budget. The difference is the way you view the savings.
What Is A Mental Health Savings Plan?
Most people use their vacation fund or entertainment budget as a way to relax. Regardless of what you call it, your mental health savings plan is used to escape from day-to-day life. You may be a person, like me, who finds it hard to do nice things for yourself. The only way that I would take a guilt free trip is to think of it as a necessary mental health break.
I am not the only person who finds it hard to carve out deserving time to do nice things for themselves. Women are guilty of doing everything for their families but doing nothing for themselves. I am a single mom so I have called this “Single Mom Guilt.” But it can just be called “Mom Guilt.”
“Mom Guilt” or “Single Mom Guilt” means that you feel like you have to or should do everything for your family. Taking time out to do anything for yourself means that you are being selfish.
Before you plan for your mental health savings plan think of how much money you may need for your activities. Also, I would strongly recommend that plan small. This means you don’t want to break the bank. You want to think of things you can do for yourself as a treat.
Low Costs Mental Health Budget Ideas
Carving out money to go and sit and have coffee with a friend on occasion is great! But also try to think of free things to do. Maybe pack a lunch and going to the park will be a great mental health get away. Checking your local online newspaper in order to get information about free or low cost events to attend to break away from your normal routine is also a great idea. There are a lot of things you can do to improve your mental health. (See this link for examples)
Think local also when establishing your mental health savings plan. Most of us want to escape our town or state. However, there are gems in our area that we can can escape to that won’t require us to break the bank.
For example, there may be a beach near your home that is only an hour or two drive. You may be able to get a cheap hotel and spend a day at the beach. Being a short distance from home gives you the chance to escape without spending what you normally would for a vacation.
You may also have some friends who may want to do a mental health get away. You all may decide to take a weekend excursion and split the costs of a hotel and gas just to do a quick get away. If you plan a vacation think of booking with Booking Buddy or Booking.
How Much Should Your Mental Health Savings Plan Be?
The amount you fund your mental health savings plan doesn’t have to be a lot. Start small, like $50 a month. That would give you $600 for the year. If you cannot afford that, you can start with $20 a month or $240 annually. You know what your budget is and you know what you want to do.
Non Trip Ideas for Mental Health Savings Plan
You also do not need to take a trip in order to properly utilize your mental health savings plan. Taking care of yourself can entail treating yourself to massages, facials, movies or even lunch or coffee with a friend. If you are in the process of getting out of debt, your mental health savings plan can be what you look forward to after reaching a financial milestone.
If you accomplish a savings goal, feel free to treat yourself out of your mental health fund. Also, know what your triggers are. If you are easily stressed you may want to plan smaller and less expensive treats. However, larger expenditures that can be shared with friends may be what you opt for. For example, friends or family members may be up for splitting the cost of gas and a hotel for a nice weekend get away. You all may want to start some kind of mental health savings plan sunshine fund that can be used for future trips and activities.
If you are on a debt free journey, I can tell you it’s not easy. Depending upon how much debt you have you may feel like you will never get rid of it. However, remember your debt reduction plan is not a sprint but a marathon. I am telling you that it is o.k. to set aside some money for yourself.
Start your mental health savings plan today.
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