All very interesting - love the links between diet & budgeting culture. I started using 'pots' of money a few months ago, putting certain amounts aside for nice things like meals out and chocolate as well as the 'boring' things and find that it helps me to spend more 'freely' alongside putting money into savings. Would that count to you as budgeting?
Thank you! That sounds like a version of the envelope budgeting strategy, where you set aside money in certain categories. The freedom you mention of not having to count every dollar that goes out is a huge benefit of this system. The drawback is restricting how much you allow yourself to spend in certain categories, which inevitably encourages you to consider yourself more worthy of some types of spending than others, or to consider certain purchases as "treats," which, like with diet culture, feeds the restrict-and-shame mindset around spending.
I encourage you to do what feels right for you, because we each have unique relationships with money and budget culture. What's worked for me to find that freedom in spending is to automate a savings pot and a pot for commitments (like mortgage, car insurance, etc.). Knowing those are taken care of, I can spend freely without counting dollars or thinking about the categories.
Thanks Dana that's really interesting - I think I'm getting away with it because I see the 'treats' as equally necessary and valid as the 'boring things', but I do like the idea of re-languaging it all somehow - after all, the 'boring' expenses are also necessary things that bring me comfort and ease, e.g. the gas bill or fixing a window! - lots of food for thought there. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
All very interesting - love the links between diet & budgeting culture. I started using 'pots' of money a few months ago, putting certain amounts aside for nice things like meals out and chocolate as well as the 'boring' things and find that it helps me to spend more 'freely' alongside putting money into savings. Would that count to you as budgeting?
Thank you! That sounds like a version of the envelope budgeting strategy, where you set aside money in certain categories. The freedom you mention of not having to count every dollar that goes out is a huge benefit of this system. The drawback is restricting how much you allow yourself to spend in certain categories, which inevitably encourages you to consider yourself more worthy of some types of spending than others, or to consider certain purchases as "treats," which, like with diet culture, feeds the restrict-and-shame mindset around spending.
I encourage you to do what feels right for you, because we each have unique relationships with money and budget culture. What's worked for me to find that freedom in spending is to automate a savings pot and a pot for commitments (like mortgage, car insurance, etc.). Knowing those are taken care of, I can spend freely without counting dollars or thinking about the categories.
Thanks Dana that's really interesting - I think I'm getting away with it because I see the 'treats' as equally necessary and valid as the 'boring things', but I do like the idea of re-languaging it all somehow - after all, the 'boring' expenses are also necessary things that bring me comfort and ease, e.g. the gas bill or fixing a window! - lots of food for thought there. Thanks for your thoughtful reply.
I love this reflection — all so true! And I love “re-languaging” :)