Budgeting. A word that strikes fear in the heart of anyone that likes to spend, spend and spend some more for good measure. Many of these people like to get stuff whenever and wherever they can, with the focus being on the fact that they want what they want and nothing and nobody should stand in the way of that. Well, according to them anyway. They want nothing to do with budgeting.
But not everyone is that extreme, some people just like to have their fun, or maybe just have really bad self-control or poor money management skills. This group is not opposed to budgeting, but it still makes them really uncomfortable. This post is by no means financial advice, but I do put some of my own thoughts on managing finances on the proverbial digital paper. As I was telling a friend about how I budget my money and refrain from buying certain things at certain periods, that friend was quick to say that living like that can't be any fun. I quickly corrected that statement, as it is slightly misguided.
Having a budget or a budgeting strategy in your finances doesn't have to be the end of fun in your life. It just means your approach to spending has been carefully thought out based on goals and a variety of parameters you have set. The only challenge is that you find creative ways to stay within the set budget. Some would even say that that's sort of fun. But not me. I acknowledge the benefits of budgeting and value the benefits, but it's a tool and nothing more. One can find meaning in using this tool though.
However you set your budget, whether it be monthly limits, only buying basic items in bulk or at wholesale price, the end result will always be positive for you. When you budget you can also allocate more funds to things that give you pleasure. IF you have that breathing room that is. I don't need to eat at a fancy restaurant every week for example, but when I go on a trip into the outdoors, money and the amount I spent shouldn't be an issue. And even then I try to get the best out of it. Why get a luxury resort with staff, when you can rent private where you do everything yourself for much cheaper. Another example would be my car versus my laptop. My car just needs to get me from point A to B, whatever it looks like. But I don't mind going extra into pocket to get a super high end laptop, based on my tech enthusiasm.
Budgeting can seem intimidating or even tedious, but when done right, it can be a powerful skill to have. And all of this without having to sacrifice everything including your fun.
So, do you have a budget? What are your parameters?
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