Laura, a financial planner, reflects on her years of saving and missed opportunities for fun in her 20s. Despite sacrifices, she now earns $90k/year, paid off student loans, and has $150k in retirement savings. By incorporating wants into her budget, she can learn to enjoy life more. (1)

Laura’s meticulous savings habits have paid off, but she wonders if she missed out on fun. She could consider budgeting for experiences she values, like vacations or concerts, using strategies like the 50/30/20 or 70/20/10 budget plans. With a new plan, she can still achieve financial goals while enjoying life.

Laura’s peers may seem financially sound, but the average American debt is $104,755. By factoring joy into her budget, Laura can enrich her life without sacrificing savings. With her saving skills, she can easily adjust to a new plan that includes fun experiences. She just needs to change her goal.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: I’m 35, I saved aggressively throughout my 20s and I feel like I missed out. How do I find a better balance?