How much and how often?
Budgeting can be stressful… especially when you don’t know what you’re doing! It’s also a challenge when you’re looking at the journey with rigid eyes.
Here’s what I mean by that: many of my clients fall into the trap of all or nothing thinking. They get stuck in the thought that they either can have EVERYTHING they want, or NOTHING they want. It is hard for people to consider any middle ground, especially when you are talking about budgeting.
How about we view this with new eyes? What if you began to look at those pesky discretionary items like shopping or dining out and ask yourself a few questions:
How much will it cost?
How often do I have to spend this?
If not now, then when?
Sometimes you just need to know that what you want to buy or experience that costs money is still doable, you just need to redefine how it happens.
Asking how much and how often allow you to decide the amount and frequency that your budget can support. For instance, rather than giving yourself no constraints to eating out or feeling like you can never do it, you might decide that super expensive meals are out, but that the occasional delivery or casual dinner is fine. This lets you still eat out, while simply changing the “how much” around it. Likewise, you might continue this example by asking yourself how often you’ll let yourself dine out. Even switching from five times a week to just once or twice allows you to have that experience, while reducing the frequency.
Even if you do decide that you need to hold off on spending in a certain area, be sure to make a plan for when this budget item can regain its spot in your life. Knowing that you’ll eventually get to do something you really enjoy can be a powerful motivator to reach that goal!
Most importantly: these questions give you the freedom to spend money on the things you value or that bring you joy, while also setting a boundary so that you still reach your goals. There doesn’t need to be deprivation: just moderation. Being aware of your spending doesn’t have to mean no spending.
It’s when you set those healthy boundaries that you get to stay in control while enjoying the journey.
