This TikToker and her friends splurged on a $2,500 Disney World dinner — and got blasted in the comments. Here's how to afford magical experiences without demolishing your finances

Soft save for your financial goals

When you’re working a steady 9-to-5 but most of your paycheck goes to your everyday expenses, like rent and groceries, you might not feel too inclined to save for emergencies, or your retirement, when you could treat yourself instead.

Don’t be too hard on yourself. You don’t need to give up on your fancy lattes or cancel your upcoming travel plans. There’s a way to balance fun with your financial goals — without feeling like you’re on the brink of financial burnout.

Think about “soft saving” for your financial goals. Set yourself manageable goals — like starting with saving 10% of your paycheck — and working your way up to a little more when you get into a good rhythm and feel like you can swing it.

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Create a ‘sunny day’ fund

Sure, it’s important to save for a rainy day, like in the event of an unexpected emergency expense or job loss, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom with your financial planning.

Consider creating a savings fund for that luxury item you’ve been eyeing for months, or for your next exciting vacation.

Take stock of your income, expenses and other financial goals, and start setting aside a set amount each month for your sunny day fund. You could even open up a high-yield savings account that comes with higher interest rates than your traditional savings account, so you can grow your funds over time.

Consider a rewards credit card

Now, depending on your interests, you could look into applying for a rewards credit card to get you points or cash back on your purchases.

For example, if you’re spending on a flight to Orlando and have other vacation plans in mind, a travel rewards card might serve you well.

If you’re not a big traveler, you could still consider a good cash back credit card that earns you money back on gas, groceries, entertainment or dining out.

Some cards may even offer you special bonuses or features, like travel insurance or discounts at certain stores. Just make sure to read the fine print and compare offerings and rates before settling on the best card for your shopping habits.