Don’t Forget Your Map

Using a budget will give you financial perspective.

You’re in that moment.

You’re at a store and you see something you want. You start running numbers in your head. Can you afford it? If you get it, will you still have enough left for that upcoming bill? Will you have to put off that trip you’ve wanted to take for another month?

To buy, or not to buy?

When you’re staring at that price tag, it can feel like you’re in a maze and the hallway you’re looking down only turns left and right. You can’t see around the corners, the consequences aren’t clear, and you’re not really sure which way to turn.

Photo by: edlimphoto

• Will you run into trouble? (It will eat into your Needs.
• Will you hit a dead end and have to backtrack? (Delay the purchase of something you value more.)
• Or is it perfectly okay to buy it right now? (Green-light to the exit!)

Want to cheat?

Your budget gives you part of the map, so instead of your in-the-moment perspective you get a top-down-view of the maze.

Photo by: kelp1966

Glance at your budget before you go shopping and you’ll always have a solid number in your mind of what you can and can’t afford.

With this top-down-view you’ll know if it leads to trouble, a dead end, or an exit.

The maze is always changing. Fortunately, it only takes about 3 minutes a week to update your map.

Similar Posts:

• Adjusting your budget to match your spending
• Keep your budget in front of you