<prompt> Human: Im not sure if this is the correct place to post this so feel free to let me know if it isnt. I have a problem where Ive always had a bad feeling when Im about to buy anything over 10. I am 19 and currently work a part time job making around 1200 a month after tax deductions. My bills sum up to 650 which includes rent, phone bill, and insurance I live with my parents. My bills are due on the 25th and the 1st day of every month. My strategy to pay them is to save 300 each payday until its time to pay the bills.My problem: every time I want to buy something that is relatively inexpensive I am always contemplating whether its really worth the 10 or something in that range. Its so bad that I get anxiety at the thought of purchasing anything. I think this came from being left with only 3 for a week a few years ago, ever since then I always feel like Im over spending every week. I also feel that Im gonna buy something I want and then suddenly get a ticket or something that I need a lot of money to pay for. Now my question is: is this normal? Any advice on how to cope with it aside from going on a shopping spree?  <response>: I went through this in a bad way when I was younger. I saved too much and put too great a priority on savingsfrugality in my 20s too - Im now in my 40s. I still live modestly, but I learned how to turn this off.At a basic level youre trading your lifetime for money, so I understand not wanting to part with it. Money when you have little of it can seem irreplaceable, and I started calculating everything. I would walk through the grocery store and think That lunch meat costs me 22 minutes of working. I would do that with so many decisions it was crazy-making. One day I was out with friends and I ordered a pitcher of beer, and I instantly regretted my decision, because the place we were at had a cheaper pitcher. I was instantly anxious. My reaction was completely disproportionate to the situation; I was really stressed out over spending less than a dollar more than I planned to. sounds familiar?I was taking my Frugality and Personal Finance to the dark-place of irrational stingy-ness. It happens. Im certain there are loads of people here who also experienced this. 1. Give yourself allowance. Money you can spend on anything you want. Make this a priority the same way you make saving a priority. And yes, you can save from your allowance, but remember its there so you can buy beer and enjoy yourself its not intended for your cable bill. 2. Im not saying dont save. I am however saying if you have a 33 savings rate at 26, make taking that trip to London part of why you save.3. I cant afford it should only be said and thought by people who dont actually have the money for things. If you have the money for things, you need to start thinking about why you choose not to. This is a huge conceptual difference, and maybe will help you make some decisions about money that will allow for positive experiences. 