how to not give a fuckmake a budget
you have no idea where your money goes
here's a quick test: without checking your bank statement, can you tell me within $100 how much you spent last month on food? on subscriptions? on impulse purchases? on things you've already forgotten about?
if you can't, you don't have a spending problem — you have an awareness problem. and a budget fixes that.
why budgeting isn't boring — it's powerful
the word "budget" makes people's eyes glaze over. it sounds restrictive, tedious, and like something only accountants enjoy. but here's what a budget actually is: a written plan that tells your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.
when you have a budget, you're not depriving yourself. you're making conscious choices. you're deciding that yes, you want to spend $200 a month on dining out, and no, you don't need another $50 subscription service you'll forget about.
how to build one
- track everything for 30 days — every coffee, every uber, every random amazon purchase. use an app like YNAB, mint, or even a spreadsheet. no judgment, just data
- categorize your spending — essentials (rent, food, transport), discretionary (entertainment, dining, hobbies), and savings/investments
- set targets for each category — based on your income and your goals, not someone else's rules
- include the fun stuff — a budget without leisure and entertainment is a budget you'll abandon by week 2. build in categories for enjoyment
- pay yourself first — before discretionary spending, allocate money to emergency savings (3-6 months of expenses) and retirement. your ability to earn is not guaranteed forever
the two things people always forget
emergency savings. job loss, medical bills, car repairs — life throws curveballs. without a cash buffer, one unexpected expense can spiral into debt.
retirement. compound interest is the most powerful force in personal finance, but it requires time. starting at 25 instead of 35 can literally mean the difference of hundreds of thousands of dollars. future you will either thank you or resent you.
the real benefit
a budget doesn't restrict your life — it reveals it. once you see where your money actually goes, you can redirect it toward what actually matters to you.
if this resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it.