Hi Krista!

Thanks for your comments!

It really is so easy to fall into certain money routines that when left unchecked can be used as crutches when they may not even meaningfully improve quality of life.

I count dining out as discretionary rather than as part of my food budget, so I just stick to groceries during my freezes. My partner and I will retain a small amount for date nights though.

On a freeze I will always include the following categories: 1 subscription (Netflix or spotify generally), groceries (just the basics unless I'm cooking something special for a date night in), rent and utilities, gas, insurance, retirement contributions, and internet. Everything else I will cut out.