What is a budget to you?
Money, math, and columns of numbers? How about your dream house and upcoming vacation?
Budgets represent goals in life! Here are some tips to use while budgeting with a goal in mind:
1. Think of your budget as: “The Financial Journey to My Dream ____” because that’s what it really is!
Your budget is a tool for you to afford what you really want in life.
When your budget becomes more about what you’re earning in life and less about restraint, budgeting can be really freeing!
Focus on your goals instead of the constraints. Make budgeting a really helpful resource instead of a really lame pastime. You can learn to value budgets, master money management, and even – dare I say it? – enjoy budgeting!
Budgeting helps you to spend your money wisely. Over time, your budget provides you an opportunity to achieve each of your goals. That’s way better than math and columns, right?
2. Put in consistent effort.
With time, budgeting can become a natural habit in your life.
Start by doing something small consistently, such as checking on your budget once a week for 10 min. After that small goal has become a habit of yours, add another small goal or expand on your first goal.
You might find it helpful to set up a rewards system. For example, if you spend 10 min on the budget this week, you’ll have your favorite snack, watch your favorite movie, or sleep in.
Eventually, you won’t even have to think about budgeting or dread paying bills – all of that can happen automatically once you set up your budget and learn to spend wisely. Before you know it, you’ll have saved up money for whatever goal your heart desires – a new car, zero debt, building a house, etc.!
3. Reflect on Your Progress
Come back to your goal every time you feel discouraged, constrained, or frustrated with budgeting. Keep in mind how far you’ve come!
Every dollar you save is a dollar spent on awesome things in your future. Figure out a way to track and celebrate your progress!
As you take control of your money, you’ll be able to live each day with peace of mind. You won’t worry about losing a job if you’ve got a savings fund at your disposal. You won’t hesitate to hand over your credit card for a fun purchase when there is money in your bank and room in your budget to splurge.
Life gets a little brighter and more intentional when you have a budget.
So what are you waiting for?! Do yourself and your family a favor by starting a budget today!
Check out my post on 8 Steps to Start Your Own Budget to get started!
Happy Budgeting! Best of luck to you.
What do you struggle with when it comes to budgeting? What budgeting tips would you give to beginners? Tell me in the comments below!!
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