Do you ever get to the end of the month and wonder where your money actually went? If you answered yes in your head because you’re too embarrassed to admit it out loud, you probably know where we’re going with this.
The reason you don’t know where your money went is that you don’t have a budget.
Before you close this article in anger, hear us out. Yes, nobody likes admitting they’ve made a mistake. Yes, we’ve called that mistake out. But we’d also like to help you move forward by equipping you with some good knowledge, so you don’t make that mistake again.
Let’s talk about budgeting. You’ll love it!
What is Budgeting?
We’ve previously described a budget as a written plan for your money. We’re going to stick with that description because it’s top class! Like any worthwhile thing in life, it’s important to plan ahead. It’s no different when it comes to your money.
The idea of a budget may take you back to your childhood when your parents refused to buy you that chocolate on account of their budget. You may relate doing a budget to being stressed because that’s the only thing you saw in your parents when they did their budget. Fortunately, while these triggers are valid, they’re not the truth.
A budget isn’t a strict set of rules that takes away the spice of life, it actually helps you enjoy life more. A budget allows you to spend your money with more freedom, not less. It empowers you to spend your money confidently and doesn’t leave you wondering where you’ve spent it all at the end of the month.
A budget is a friend, not a foe.
Why is Budgeting Important?
Another way to ask that question is “what do you value?”.
- Your health?
- Your house?
- Your spouse?
Each of these things requires careful consideration and financial planning because without money, very little can be done in the way of giving adequate time to the things you value. It’s an unfortunate truth, but a truth nonetheless. Money isn’t everything, but it sure is important in the grander scheme of things.
So, the key to budgeting is thus: find what makes your life worth living and let that be your motivation to manage your money better. Not to satisfy the wants of today, but rather, the needs of tomorrow.
The importance of budgeting is not so you can tick boxes and feel better about yourself, but rather it’s to set yourself up for the best possible future with everything you hold dear right there beside you.
Next time you forget why budgeting is important, remind yourself of what you value and remember the purpose behind your budgeting.
One Step Forward
So, there you have it. If you started this article wondering how you could get to the end of the month with a better idea of where your money went, we hope we’ve provided you with a helpful solution in the form of creating a budget.
No matter what your financial situation is currently, there’s always hope and a light at the end of the tunnel. Take a step towards financial health this month by creating your first budget. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed!