One of the hardest aspects of a debt-free journey is the long period of hard work and planning it takes to achieve financial freedom. This inevitably means delayed gratification, which wouldn’t be so bad if everyone around you was doing the same. But they aren’t. Most of your peers are spending money, making plans, and going on exciting adventures.

There are two reasons we feel this jealousy so strongly. First, we value our friends and want to be with them. Doing fun things together is what bonds us, and without that, a shame-filled distance can form instead. Second, we care too much about what others think of us, and turning down an expensive invite can make us feel like we’re being judged.

For both these reasons, even our wonderfully good values can sometimes tempt us to chuck our plans and throw our budgets out the window. But we must not! The more we practice, the better we’ll get at protecting these good things without losing track of the ultimate goal.

1. Invite your friends into your debt-free journey. A journey is always easier when you have someone to share it with. Open up to your friends about what you’re feeling and invite them to share in the ups and downs. They might even be inspired themselves to get more serious about their finances.

2. Be willing to say no to any plans that don’t fit your budget. Don’t be afraid to say no to even the best sounding plans if they aren’t aligned with your debt-free goals. It takes time and training, but once you fully trust your gut in these situations, your friends will respect your confidence, and you’ll find it easier to stick with the plan.

3. Suggest budget-friendly alternatives so your friends know you want to hang out. Just because a particular plan is out of your budget range doesn’t automatically mean you have to stay home and miss out. One step better than saying “no” is to suggest another plan that’s more affordable but still fun. This simple act of creativity allows you to stay on track financially while still enjoying life with your friends.

4. Keep a list of big goals that you want to celebrate when you reach them. There’s a time and a place for frugality, but there’s also a time to spend and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Don’t get so caught up in your debt-free journey that you miss out on those opportunities to celebrate with your friends when the moment is right. Create milestones along the way and think ahead about how you’ll mark the occasion when you successfully reach them.

The important thing is to start somewhere. Nothing happens without action. Do something today that shows you’re serious about this debt-free journey, but also something that lets your friends know you care and are excited to be with them.