I wish people understood that budgeting is a tool that helps you achieve your financial goals, NOT something you do because "money is tight"
We're thinking about adopting another Birman, have been for quite awhile - a year at least but timing is just not right, and I'm not suggesting it is now.
But I was telling my best friend about an incident this morning... short story is - my daughters were showering & essentially wasted their 15 minutes. Hot water & time are a premium in a household of 6 where 5 of them have to take showers in the morning.
Sooo... I went in there after warning them, and shut the water off. When their bathroom time was up, I kicked them out - my son had to get ready and I wasn't going to let my daughter's carelessness affect his ability to get a hot shower or have time to get ready.
So I told my friend this... and shortly afterwards told her we were thinking about getting another cat (because my cat was sitting on my lap).
She told me it probably wouldn't be a good idea if I'm concerned about "shower times & budgeting the water bill"
I told her its not that we can't afford it. I'm already putting an extra $510/mo towards paying down the credit cards, we have $1000 in our baby EF, and we aren't using the credit cards. Plus I didn't specify a timeframe.
Its not that I'm put off by HER. I'm put off by the idea that if you mention BUDGETING or ALLOCATING RESOURCES to someone, its almost like you get a look of concern as if "You can't afford it" or "You're in tight times".
No, actually - in general I'm feeling really good and am optimistic about the future.
I feel like I've just endured something, one of the worst things I can imagine - the loss of a loved one - that there is no direction to go from here but up.
I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I just wish people understood that. I'm soooo happy and sooo excited about budgeting, I am finding ways to interject the discussion into my daily lives.
We aren't struggling, I'm not worried about money. In fact, for once I feel really in control. I know where every dollar that I spend goes & at the beginning of the month I know where I want that dollar to go.
Budgeting does not mean you are struggling or enduring hard financial times. Budgeting is something you should be doing each and everyday to make sure you stay on track with your goals.
If you're budgeting ONLY when you fall on tough financial times - you're doing it wrong.
Budgeting is not a sign of struggling!
October 16th, 2009 at 03:00 am
October 16th, 2009 at 03:16 am 1255662973
People are funny! I've noticed a lot of the same.
October 16th, 2009 at 05:16 am 1255670163
October 16th, 2009 at 05:36 am 1255671368
Over the years, I have known many people with serious financial problems... and most DID NOT follow a budget. Sadly, the ones in the worst situations had no clue about how much debt they actually had, let alone the benefits of following a budget.
October 16th, 2009 at 06:10 am 1255673442
October 16th, 2009 at 10:43 am 1255689782
Good stuff.
October 16th, 2009 at 11:59 am 1255694382
October 16th, 2009 at 02:09 pm 1255702197
October 16th, 2009 at 03:57 pm 1255708638
October 17th, 2009 at 10:03 pm 1255816980
Very well written.
I prefer to call my budget a 'spending plan', but the theory is the same!
Getting folks out the door is important and what a wise parent you are to keep their feet to the fire so to speak on the household management front! Go YOU!