what would you do with $2,000?
Budget. It’s a word that makes us all cringe when we hear it. Even the government seems to have a hard time creating (and keeping) one. I always HATED when my husband would say “we need to create a budget.” I think it’s that whole being told what to do thing that I don’t like.
I did decide while to pay more attention to where my money was going though. Just noticing the little stuff shocked me. I spend around $8.00 a day on lunch times 5 days a week ($32.00) times 4 weeks a month ($128.00) or 52 weeks a year ($2,080.00)! TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS! Do you know what I can pay off with $2,000.00? (Or what trip I could take?) This is just one of the many places that money slips through my fingers; another is going out to eat…we spend an average of $30.00 for dinner. Let’s just say we go out 3 times a week…3 times $30.00 equals $90.00 a week, around $390.00 a month or $4,680.00 a year!
Yes, sitting in a beach chair is a budget goal!
Maybe you don’t spend a lot on drinks or eating out, so what do you do regularly? Add it up like I did above. If you had to pay for the full year all at one time, would you allow yourself to part with that amount? If you wouldn’t, then cut back. When you start looking at the big picture…taking your lunch doesn’t seem so bad.
Once you cut back, what will you do with the extra money? It doesn’t matter, just tell your money where to go. I find this to be the best way to start a budget.
This is a guest post from Annette at Designs By a Rose. Annette is a mother of 3 trying to balance a day job, a home based business, and her budget. She writes about crafting and sewing and manages the Facebook group Budgeting Babes. In this group she highlights ways to save money, pay off debt, buy a home, etc. She would love for you to stop by for more tips!
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Renee is a retail tech executive, leads a non profit chapter providing education on prescription drug abuse, and is an avid yoga practitioner. Most importantly however: she and her ever patient husband of 6 years are raising three boys through what most days and in many ways is truly a Life Half Crunched.
Susan Ellis-Saller, founder of See You, Be You Life Coaching is all about helping people! She knows from her own experience that diet plays an extremely important role in helping one feel and do her best! You might catch Susan hanging out with her husband and three children; hiking; reading; taking a class about Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Therapies, or Reiki; at an art museum; or pursuing some new life experience.
