May is going to be jam-packed with awesomeness in life: concerts, a graduation, a weekend in Chicago, a Cleveland wedding, seeing old friends and welcoming a new roommate to name just a few. But the beginning of May also is synonymous with preparing for these events financially. First weekend of the month = budgeting for the month. Can I get two cheers for budgeting? Hmmm I didn't think so...
Honestly, two of the most important adult life lessons I have learned over the past year are how to create a budget and how to stick to a budget. The distinction is definitely key, just like the act of lacing up running shoes and knowing your course is vastly different from running and finishing a race. Creating a healthy budget is like lacing up those running shoes and knowing the twists and turns of the course, while sticking to a budget is actually putting one foot in front of the other and making it across that finish line.
Openly talking about money can be taboo and a budget often seen as negative and associated with punishment. I recognize that, but here is the thing: it doesn't have to be. Really. The discipline of budgeting and the reasons behind it should not be taking shelter under the punishment umbrella. This skill of creating and sticking to a healthy budget contains complete value, especially for those of us (myself included) just getting our feet wet with adult life and figuring out how to handle a salary, bills and life's expenses. You are handling money that represents literally hours and hours of hard work, not just handling numbers on a screen.
But what does it mean to make a budget and how do I stick to it? Great questions. Ones that I am figuring out as I go too (both with my own research and with a financial mentor), but for now, think about in your own life if you know the distinction and what blocks you from either lacing up or running.
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