Money Matters

Last week Patrick and I sat down and made a budget for the first time since we left Virginia.

You know what that means, right? It means we have money to budget!

I know for a lot of people there's a real stigma around the word "budget." But since we took a finance class back in Virginia (Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey, if you are interested--we highly recommend it!) and put into practice what we've learned, we actually enjoy the process. We have very clear goals: build back up the savings we depleted during the job search, save up a few months rent or a small down payment on a house, and chop down our student debt.

We are lucky we have such similar objectives in this regard; I know every marriage is made up of two very different people, and believe me, Patrick and I are very different in many ways, but it is so nice to be married to someone with financial views similar to mine. Our family's fiscal policy in a nutshell is to wait for it and save for it. I hesitate to say we're cheap (though I know some friends who would lovingly call me cheap in a second) because both Patrick and I really like and appreciate the nicer, quality, more expensive things. We just really hate to spend money on them if there is a better place that money can go.

Budgeting helps me feel less guilty about buying things I want. If I want (and need) some new shoes, there's cash already sitting in the clothing envelope. Sweet! If I want to splurge on a new purse or book or smoothie, I've got my blow money; we each have an allowance of sorts called "blow money" that we're allowed to "blow" on whatever we want. If there's no money in those areas, that's alright, I'll suck it up and wait until next month, and I'll know that our bank account isn't going to be overdrawn.

It's exciting to have a plan, financially. I find myself motivated by watching other people succeed. One mom blogger (and a friend from when we lived in Virginia) actually puts all her finances (within reason) out for everyone to see. I don't think I'm brave enough to share our numbers with the world, but it sure is fascinating and inspiring to see how a real family with real money, real goals, and real weaknesses does it. I can imagine that knowing the world is watching would be a great motivator to stay on track, too. Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider this public disclosure thing...

How's that for public disclosure? :-)
 (Sorry if baby bums offend you. This was actually last summer, and I couldn't resist.)

Either way, this whole budgeting thing is a reassuring sign that things are, in fact, moving forward for this little family. Land of fiscal security, here we come!