Just Until You Die
One of my clients is absolutely crushing it! Husband and wife, mid-30s, two small children. They got on the same page, started budgeting, paid off a ton of debt, unlocked generosity, pursued work that matters, and are aggressively living their values. They are in a position to fire me at any time! Mission accomplished.
During a recent meeting, they asked me a curious question: "When did you and Sarah decide you were good enough at your finances to quit budgeting?"
I just stared at them; I was floored. Part of me was trying to figure out if they were joking, but once I realized they were serious, I composed myself before mustering a response: "Budgeting isn't something you have to do forever......just until you die."
Truthfully, once budgeting becomes a steadying force in our financial lives, it's impossible to envision life without it. I can't even fathom going a single month without a planned and executed budget. That would feel weirder than wearing only a Speedo to work. It's unconscionable! There's no reality, no wealth, no income, and no situation that would prevent Sarah and me from budgeting. It doesn't matter if I make $10 or $10M this month, there will be a budget.
Out of curiosity, I asked several of my clients for their perspectives on this topic. For people who have been budgeting for six months or less, they were 50/50. About half said they couldn't imagine not budgeting, while the other half said they could stop tomorrow. I expected this answer, as these habits aren't yet fully engrained, nor are the results obvious. For people who have been budgeting for at least one year, 100% of them said it's an absolute non-negotiable in their life and marriage. There WILL be a budget, and life is better for it.
Budgeting is one of those weird things that feels weird and foreign if you've never done one, but once it's fully integrated into your life, it would feel weird and foreign to not have one. If you're someone who feels like budgeting would be weird or foreign......or lame, restricting, fun-killing, soul-sucking, boring, tedious, or difficult, perhaps today is the day to give it a shot.
If it feels too intimidating or you don't know where to start, hit reply to this e-mail, drop a comment below, or e-mail me at thedailymeaning@gmail.com. I'd love to answer your questions or provide you with some additional resources. It's not nearly as hard as you might think, and it's most definitely more powerful than you'd ever believe.
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