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StitcherNobody’s budget is perfect as there is no universal guide that can be applied to everyone else’s finances. With this in mind, we still want to normalize a less restrictive budget and present them with challenges that are actionable and achievable. Budgeting is non-negotiable for a lot of people so in this episode, we discussed a few creative and nonrestrictive budgeting tips for us to live in the radical middle!
When you can change it in your mind, it becomes less associated with restriction and more associated with creativity.
Sponsors:
The pendulum. It has a wide range of motion and while it can swing very far in 2 opposite directions, the pendulum has reserved this ad spot on today’s episode to inform us that it prefers to swing only slightly, and very near to the middle. It’s tired of all the energy it takes to be at either extreme of the spectrum of motion, and it dislikes how far apart and opposed to itself it can become when it primarily hangs out in the extremes. The pendulum, all in its feels and meta; wanting to inform us that the radical middle is where it’s at.
Check out some relevant episodes
Here’s Why Budgets Don’t Work for a Lot of People
Select delves into why budgeting can be difficult for so many people. In this article, CNBC highlighted the reasons why.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
Jill talked about Melissa Browne’s statement that “it’s not about dieting but rather eating well, I don’t believe it’s about budgeting but rather spending and investing well”. She also talks about how hanguage and perspective and mindset around budget can be limiting and pose barriers. Additionally, they dived in on the concept of income volatility which cites issues that go beyond ‘just budgeting’ but turns back to what can be done and is within our control. Another reason is the variable savings or making financial decisions that align with the needs month to month.
Anti-budget: The Budget for People Who Hate Budgets
Do you feel overwhelmed and think that money management isn’t possible for you? The Housewife Modern introduces the concept of Anti-Budget, the budget for people who hate budgets.
What Jen + Jill have to say:
Jill talks about choosing a savings rate where 10-20% should be the aim (you can start smaller). Another strategy is to pull the savings directly from the top of your paycheck and put it aside, which includes paying off debt, building up emergency fund, and investments/saving for retirement. Lastly, living on what is left over.
How do you make your budgeting sustainable?
Jen checks personal capital to see all accounts in 1 place, one time per month. Meanwhile, Jill practices rhythm of looking at finances bi-weekly, which aligns with our payday schedule.
Bill of The Week
Thank you for sharing your bill about your car payment and the grace period offered and how this helped in a particularly stressful time financially.
Thanks so Much for Listening!
Thanks so much for listening! Many of you know we have a private community where we do monthly money challenges and offer accountability groups. We want to congratulate one of our members for a big win:
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I'll spare everyone that long-winded backstory on each of these items, but today, I did these things.
1) Paid off my iPhone (over $600 left on the 0% financing)
2) Paid off my car (only had $1k left after this month's payment and wanted it gone)
3) Paid off the last $4k of a loan I took out in 2020 for an elective surgery I am SO excited about all of this, and have a really good feeling that I'm actually going to stay on track this time, especially with the support of this community. I also have to remind myself that life is likely to show up along the way (I even have a dentist appt I'm super nervous about this week that could end up leading to a not-small bill)— but I'm not going to let that stop me, even if we have to occasionally throw slightly less at the debt than I want.
Congrats Valerie! Thanks for listening and if you want to check out our monthly challenge community head to frugalfriendspodcast.com/club to see what challenge we have coming up next.
Keep leaving us reviews on iTunes or Stitcher, and sending the screenshot to reviews@frugalfriendspodcast.com. And don’t forget to share your favorite quote from the episode by using the hashtag #FrugalFriendsNote. 😉
