How To Stretch Every Dollar Without Sacrificing Joy
Written by
Marc Guberti
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Establishing a budget is an important step toward financial independence. You will get a better understanding of where your money goes and be more intentional with how you use every dollar.
However, some people give up on budgeting because of how rigid it can feel. In a recent YouTube video, financial guru Kate Kaden shared some of the strategies she uses to stretch each dollar she has while having fun with budgeting.
Having fun with budgeting doesn’t mean spending money irresponsibly. Instead, it requires viewing budgeting from a different mindset while building toward exciting long-term financial goals.
Adjust Your Monthly Budget
According to CNBC, budgets can lead to a restrictive mindset and can be hard to stick to. However, Kaden recommended a more flexible approach and suggested having a different budget for each month of the year. “If you have a static budget … this is where I think people think budgeting doesn’t work,” she said.
It’s important to establish different budgets for each month around your bills. For instance, you may have an annual subscription that you have to pay every July. Therefore, it would make sense to have a different budget in June compared with your budget in July.
Some people may recognize that they spend more money in certain months and opt to spend less money during their less busy months. It’s well known that many people tend to spend the most during the holidays, so having a slow month or two right before the holiday season can give you more financial flexibility when you need it the most.
Round Up When Budgeting for Variable Expenses
Is that trip to the gas station going to cost $46? Round it up to $50. Kaden advocated for rounding up variable expenses when calculating how much you will have to pay. You always know how much your monthly subscription will cost, but things like gas and groceries have variable costs.
It’s better to overestimate your expenses than it is to underestimate your expenses, and this round-up method allows you to plan for higher costs. In a Ramsey Solutions article, money expert Rachel Cruze suggested the same, especially when you’re first starting to budget. She advised giving yourself some margin with things like groceries and eating out.
If you have any money left over, Kaden suggested putting it into a high-yield savings account, an emergency fund or a budget buffer. That’s a separate bank account from your emergency savings, and it lets you pay for additional costs if you exceed your budget.
Budget for Fun
Having a mentality of saving and never spending on yourself can take some of the fun out of budgeting and practicing good money habits. “Budgets that are too strict give you that feeling that you’re being punished,” Kaden said.
To get around this issue, Kaden suggested planning for fun purchases. She referred to budgeting as giving yourself permission to spend. It’s possible to spend some money on fun things for yourself while staying financially disciplined.
Your budget is a work in progress that will change as your life and finances change. If you continue to work on your budget and have fun along the way, you can move closer toward meaningful long-term financial goals without sacrificing your joy.
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