Next up on the end-of-year LBYM to-do list … the 2019 budget. I know, I know. I harp on budgets a lot, huh? I’ll tell you what. Instead of a budget, we’ll call it a … budgie:
Better?
By now, you should have a pretty good idea about what you spend each month and how you might want to change that spending. I don’t know anyone who’s 100% happy with where her money goes. Look in your closet and add up what you paid for everything in there that you never wear.
See?
Maybe your budgie just needs a few tweaks. Maybe you’re looking at a wholesale budgie makeover. Maybe you need someone else in your household to get on board the budgie bus. Maybe it’s your first ever budgie. Whatever your situation, the New Year is a great time to set and commit to the new budgie (chirp chirp).
I just did ours. As usual, I was conservative with our income and generous with the budgie-busting habits of my four-year-old. This week in Adventures with Thomas—replacing a car battery because someone thought it would be funny to turn on the inside light as he was getting out of the car. YOU CANNOT MAKE THIS STUFF UP 😭.
What does setting a budgie actually entail? I mean, I supposedly have a workout routine, but my activity tracker and my pants say otherwise. Successfully setting and committing to a budgie isn’t just about writing down what you plan to spend and then recording what you actually spent—it’s about holding yourself accountable.
The planning and the recording are the easier parts. You can use paper and pencil, a spreadsheet (as I do), or even one of those fancy online trackers that people swear by. I don’t care how you budgie as long as you have a set amount for each category and, at the end of the month, you know how far over or under you were in each category … and, umm, you use a spreadsheet.
The harder part of committing to a budgie is owning it—taking responsibility for what happens each month and making the sometimes tough, not-fun decisions required to get back on track. I see this same dynamic all the time with my test prep students. Anyone can lay out a study schedule and check off syllabus assignments, but what distinguishes the more successful students is their willingness to shoulder responsibility when obstacles arise and figure out how to navigate such situations going forward. I chose to go out for drinks after work instead of studying. Next time, I will hide in the bathroom when people head out.
Hey, whatever it takes.
When you were reviewing your monthly expenses, what kinds of thoughts were going through your head? But I had to take a cab—I was in 4-inch heels! But the dress was on sale! But I didn’t want to be the only person in the office who didn’t go out to lunch! But Christmas only comes once a year! I am going to kill Thomas.
If this could be you—and it’s all of us—I need to ask you what I ask my test prep students. How badly do you want this? How much do you want to … better manage your money? Improve your financial situation? Reach your goals? It may sound goofy, but you, too, can figure out how to navigate such situations.
Next time I go out, I will wear really, really stylish flats.
Next time the office goes to lunch, I will hide in the bathroom when people head out … or I really like lunch with my officemates … I’m going to cut back on dresses.
You’re a smart gal—you got spreadsheets.