When it comes to successfully implementing a budget, it’s all about planning your work and working your plan. In order to truly turn the corner when it comes to your finances it takes a lot of discipline and consistency, until the budgeting and saving becomes second nature. Once we reach that point, we sometimes become so focused on saving that we forget how much fun it is to spend a little money on occasion. Even though sound money management begins with the ability to curb your spending, the satisfaction from splurging a little can bring a spark to your everyday routine.
I know what you’re saying, why would you want to set yourself back in your savings plan for some unnecessary spending? Most of us find ourselves in a pretty predictable rut when it comes to work, family, and home life. Our society and our working patterns pretty much make that inevitable. When you add the predictability (and fairly dull) routine of a budget and aggressive savings plan, it can lead to an overall lack of excitement and fun in our lives. The hard part about this is that we usually don’t notice it right away. We’re so used to our routines that it takes a while to stop and look up to see what’s really going on in our lives. It’s important for everyone to take a break and do something that interests them, even if it costs a little money.
So how much should you spend? It really depends on your financial situation and what your current financial goals are. Obviously if you are saving for a house, don’t go splurging a few thousand on an expensive vacation. But maybe you decide to take your family out to some place like Six Flags for the day. Better yet, buy season passes and make it a habit to go every other month or so. Live close to an ocean? A nice beach front weekend can get everyone’s morale up. If you have kids and they are into sports, maybe you can get the whole family tickets to a game. These are all great experiences that create lasting memories for your family. In twenty years you probably won’t remember the $200 you spent, but you will all remember the first time you went to a game together.
As adults we get so caught up in building for our future, that sometimes we don’t spend enough time enjoying our present. You don’t want to be retired with all the money in the world and feeling like you haven’t really done anything in your life but save and prepare for retirement. If you don’t want to splurge all at once, decide to put a little aside each paycheck just for fun. That way you’re still meeting your goal, and preparing yourself mentally to spend that money in the future. Use whatever tactics work best for you to separate yourself from your normal savings routine just a little. Budgeting and saving is important, but take some time (and money) out to have a little fun, and feed your soul for a change.
