Why The Word Budget Hurts Our Ears
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
What do ‘ears’ tell you about making smart, informed decisions with money? Learn the keys to budgeting success & financial prosperity!
Financial success is yours when you learn how to budget the right way. My paper route savings started the journey!
Ears Up For Bargain Basement Budget Deals
Even mentioning the word budget can cause some people to go into a bullhorn frenzy.
If I say saving money is about “budgeting,” not “bargain basement,” they stare at me like I speak a foreign language.
Bargain basement means that just because you think you are saving by getting deals doesn’t mean you are doing it all right.
I don’t delve into deep conversations with friends and colleagues about my situation but in idle chatter.
I’m stunned to hear how so many people are in financial ruin and desperate for a way out.
Spending Less Than You Earn
Over the years, I used to think saving was ensuring my account grew with interest in the bank.
I always made sure I spent less than I made from a young age.
Stashing my paper route money away was where it all began.
When I was 21, I purchased my first condo (flat) and sold it to buy a house at 23.
I later sold that home and purchased a modest home with Mrs. CBB at 32 due to a move out of the city for work.
Being the simple guy I am, I was never materialistic, but I still love to travel.
Designing Our First CBB Budget
Last year, in Jan 2011, I sat at the computer and decided to design a budget for Mrs. CBB and me.
It took some work, and I continued updating the budget format to simplify it.
After one year, I can see why mentioning “budget” makes people turn their heads and cover their ears.
Work is involved when budgeting, so you must be organized and diligent in accounting for all expenditures.
Budgeting Becomes Automated
Once you have the hang of budgeting it, the routine sets in, and it’s pretty robotic.
When you begin, it seems like you are on a diet and must watch every calorie traveling down the tunnel.
Although not seemingly as harsh, the reality is that budgeting is tricky for most as they don’t believe they have the time or the money to warrant the bother.
It takes 3 to 6 months to see where you have been heading to make necessary changes.
Uncover Your Ears And Listen Up
If I could change your mind and tell you it was the best thing we had ever done and continue to do, it would be in this blog.
We realized we weren’t saving to our maximum potential and strive to change that at every opportunity.
Since then, we have drastically changed our finances and budget to improve our lives.
The most important tip I could give everyone is to pay attention and know your finances inside and out.
Work together to achieve financial goals in a relationship to build trust, strength, and happiness.
If you’re single, pull out all the stops and build an action plan to protect yourself financially.
Being independent is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself financially.
Your Financial Future Deserves Your Attention
Save for tomorrow and start early; you will be glad you did because nobody knows what’s ahead.
There’s no excuse; everyone can do it. Invest the time in your future, listen up, and follow your path to debt freedom.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you join us on our journey towards becoming financially free by 40.
Discussion: Have you recently made a budget? What have you learned thus far?
Share your comments below.
Thanks for reading,
Mr. CBB
