The household budget leaks you should not plug

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

budget awry every now and then. While we have always advocated ways to plug these chinks to ensure smooth cash flow and optimisation of spending and saving, there are occasions when you should overlook these leaks. Whether it is to preserve a cherished relationship or let off steam while running an extremely tight budget, it is advisable to ignore some financial fissures.

This is, of course, not to say that you make a practice of it since it would defeat the very purpose of sticking to a budget, and may escalate your expenses beyond control. While many situations may be subjective, we list here some exceptions that you can consider as well as checkpoints that can serve as a guide for you. If you have a long-time friend who is in dire need of funds, do help to the extent that will not leave you financially bereft.

While we reiterate that money can ruin the best of friendships, especially if you do not get back the money you have loaned, this argument stands for friends who have gone out of the way to help you in the past and have stood by you through thick and thin. Even if you need to dish out financial help for a sustained period, do so. The caveat here is, of course, that you do not endanger your own finances or your family.

Another leak you should allow is spending on entertainment, eating out, even taking a brief holiday, if you have been exceptionally frugal trying to meet a goal. Sometimes, the single-minded intent of achieving a goal requires financial sacrifices on the part of the entire family, resulting in cutting out discretionary expenses. However, excessive thriftiness can backfire if it begins to affect the mental health of family members and leads to constant fights and conflicts.