Trying to Budget for Travel Without Killing My Social Life

I’ve been trying to save up for a trip next year, but every time I try to tighten my budget, I feel like I’m missing out on hanging with friends or grabbing a spontaneous bite. It’s tricky because I don’t want to be a hermit just to save a few bucks, but my travel fund isn’t growing fast enough either.

Has anyone found a good balance between budgeting seriously and still enjoying a social life? Are there little hacks or mindset shifts that helped you keep your budget intact while still having fun? Also, how do you keep from feeling like you’re depriving yourself when you say no to those extra outings?