Everyday we're bombarded with choices and that can affect our ability to make the right ones.
Recent research has shown we may only have a finite amount of willpower. And as we weigh the implications of every choice --- go out to lunch or brown bag it; hire someone to mow the lawn or do our taxes versus doing it ourselves --- the strain makes it harder for us to continue to be virtuous with each consecutive decision.
That's why it's a good idea to set your frugal goals with enough leeway so you can achieve them without feeling as if you're contantly in a state of monastic deprivation.
Wise Bread recently posted a list of 12 "frugal compromises" that included ordering takeout instead of going out for a restaurant meal --- avoiding the cost of tips --- or hiring a housekeeper once a month rather than more frequently.
I'd add a few others to the list: choosing a BYOB restaurant if you intend to imbibe with your meal, to avoid the markup on alcohol; downgrading your cable package or Netflix subscription rather than eliminating it entirely; joining an online book trading service or used book store rather than buying new books (better yet, hit the library to satisfy that urge to browse).
Do you make any frugal compromises on a regular basis, that allow you to save enough without feeling denied?