Looking for ways to make budgeting a little more bearable? You’ve come to the right place!
It’s payday, and you’ve got a few more dollars in your pocket! You start to think about the things you’ll buy and the savings goals you’ll add too… but dread floods you when you remember that working on the budget is LAME and you aren’t looking forward to it.
Or, perhaps you enjoy sorting money, and it’s your sweet spouse that is dragging his or her feet to join this particular family activity.
Whatever the case, there are ways to make the counting and saving less of a drag and more of an easy item to mark off your checklist.
Here are some ideas that you can try to make budgeting a little more bearable!
1) Include your favorite snack
Budgeting can’t be aaaaall that bad if it includes munching on chocolate covered pretzels or peach rings.
It’s always better to crunch numbers while you simultaneously crunch your favorite chips!
In fact, if you save a special treat just for budgeting, you might be excited to budget because it means you’ll get to indulge on that snack! Junior mints, anyone?
Lighten up the chore of working the budget by grabbing your favorite treat to go with it.
2) Plan something fun afterwards
It’s way easier to get through a mundane task if you know there will be something fun afterwards.
***pro tip: this is also true for studying, working, and cleaning the bathroom!
Perhaps after budgeting you’ll watch a show, play a game, or go on a walk.
A simple activity to look forward too will surely motivate you to get through the rough stuff first.
3) Make it quick
It’s true that budgeting can become boring, stressful, or disheartening.
Figure out how to get to the point and solve budget issues quickly and efficiently.
If you are budgeting with a partner, try divvying up the tasks so that the whole experience ends sooner.
Nobody wants to spend hours on the budget (okay, maybe nobody besides the few of us who LOVE spreadsheets) !
4) Focus on your goals!
Making goals is the best part of budgeting.
It’s exciting to plan an upcoming trip, dream of the house you’re saving for, browse new cars, pay off debts, or give a generous gift!
Every time you budget, make sure to revisit and reflect on your goals.
Picture yourself making that last debt payment or driving away from the dealership. Think about how good that will feel, and let your excitement fuel your feelings on budgeting!
If you can make budgeting a little easier on your mood, you will be better prepared to make budgeting a healthy habit!
Gone are the days when you put off bills and budgets for months at a time, only to be swept up in anxiety when ends don’t meet.
Start making budgeting a better experience today so that you can enjoy a peace of mind tomorrow.
Related: “8 Steps to Start Your Own Budget (+ free printable checklist!)“
Do you enjoy budgeting? How do you make budgeting a better experience? Let me know in the comments below!