I am not your mother. And I’m not going to tell you what to do. And I am ready for your budget excuses.
One of my favorite not-the-best-mother-moments in my nearly 10-year career in motherhood came at bedtime. Bedtime has never been torturous for us, but it also has never been kittens and rainbows. We have stallers. They need another hug, a reminder that we’ll still be here in the morning, help picking out their clothes, and another trip to the restroom.
On one such fateful evening several years ago, our oldest wanted ANOTHER drink of water. I said no. (I’m the heavy in our house most of the time…but I bet you already guessed that.)
She cried. Or whined, or both. I was at the end of my rope with the bedtime nonsense so I told her, and I quote.
“You’d better stop crying, because all of the water is going to fall out your face. Then you’ll REALLY be thirsty.”
Sarah VanHoose – Mother of the Year 2014
Now, I don’t know if this story makes you feel bad for my children, proud of my quick wit and no-nonsense parenting humor, or maybe just a little thirsty yourself – but I share to remind you that I am not your mother. Of that you’re likely grateful right now.
I am your personal finance coach.
Whether you’re a paying client or not; you’re getting my thoughts, advice and ideas in this blog, on social media, and soon perhaps in the free wellness workshop webinar launching this Spring. If you want on the waitlist, you can sign up at the bottom of this blog, I brought it right to you. Boom.
I want to be your best friend in finance, so I am going to attempt to influence and encourage you, not only because that’s the name of my business – but I believe it’s what I’ve been called to do and share.
My husband and I, saw some big wins with money in the last few years – and I feel compelled to help you do the same; through story-telling and advice in these blogs, memes, quotes, video Q&A on social media, and side by side coaching when you’re ready to talk about your finance goals.
I want you to consider making a budget or atleast your first step to avoiding budget excuses. And if you’re not a fan of the word “budget” why don’t you rename it to Spending Plan. At the end of the day, it is a plan or a roadmap for your money.
I’m ready for your budget excuses.
- I already have a good idea of where my money is going.
Good for you! You have a plan of sorts it sounds like. You don’t get surprised when your credit card statement arrives then? Or you catch up with your Venmo and Apple accounts later?
- I make plenty of money, I don’t need to keep tabs on all of it.
High five! It’s a great starting point to have a healthy income – but are you making it work hard for you?
- I’m already debt free, so this doesn’t apply to me.
Do you have the safety and security of a fully funded emergency fund? Are you investing what you should for your future? For your kids’ future?
- I don’t have enough money to cover my expenses, so there is no point.
Oh, but that is the point! Once you make a plan you can prioritize, dig out – and get balanced friend.
- I don’t want to.
Well, sometimes we have to do things that we don’t want to. #adulting
And there goes our 5 Budget Excuses. Let me remind of you some other plans that we use on a daily basis that we’ve normalized and fit into our lives.
Any of you on a fitness journey?
Do you make a plan to hit the gym X times a week? Do you track your calorie/nutrient intake into an app like My Fitness Pal? If so, you’ve made a plan for your health. And you’re using that app like your calorie checkbook.
Vacation planners, where are you?
Do you dream about those annual vacays, research your location, hotel and excursions? Do you figure out what dates are best, a few local haunts to visit and what to pack before you head out of town? If so, you’ve made a vacation plan surrounding how you’re going to spend your time with some R&R.
How many of you meal prep?
You take a look at what you have in the cupboards and fridge, what your schedule is like for the coming week and then decide what you’re going to do for meals in the coming week before heading for the grocery story. You’ve made a plan for your meals.
Any professionals in the house?
Ever been in charge of a big project at work – where you have timelines, resources and a crew to work with to accomplish a goal? I’d call that a project plan.
Point made; I hope? We make plans all the time in our daily lives. Why aren’t we treating our money the same way? It too needs a plan in order to align with the goals that we have for ourselves, our families, and our future.
There are A LOT of ways to create a spending plan, tons of tools and resources out there, and hundreds of experts to learn from. You don’t need anything fancy. But I DO believe that you need a plan.
Next week, I’ll talk you through how to get started with making a budget.
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