The other day, my 13-year-old son Cache approached me and expressed his interest in learning about budgeting, making me reflect on my dislike for the term “budget.” Every time I hear it, I can’t help but associate it with sacrificing things I enjoy or missing out on experiences. It’s like going on a restrictive diet, which is why many people procrastinate in creating a budget. While it’s essential to avoid uncontrolled spending, similar to avoiding unhealthy eating habits, it’s
possible to change our negative associations with the word “budget.”
Instead of focusing on what we can’t have, we can shift our mindset to a spending and savings plan that empowers us. We can create a plan aligning with our needs, wants, and aspirations by setting specific goals and modifying our expenses to meet those goals. We can eliminate unnecessary costs that don’t contribute to our overall well-being or life goals. Ask yourself who you want to be and how you want to live, then align your finances. Balancing your present
desires with your future plans is much more fulfilling than feeling restricted by a budget. We can chart the direction of our lives and create a spending and savings plan that leads us toward our goals. Once you are spending and saving appropriately, you will feel liberated.