By Darlene Arechederra Check out Darlene's website www.affordtostayhome.com for more household budget tips
Most of us have learned along life's journey that we must have a budget in place to succeed in our financial goals. And it is true that using your budget as a tool will make it easier. But, what happens if budgeting has become a real drag for you? Will it prevent you having money for those things you need and want? It can. Let me share *Lisha's* challenge with you. (Not her real name.) Lisha didn't like budgeting. As a matter of fact, she hated budgeting -- and anything to do with it. Like many who struggle to budget, she had made up her mind there would be no more budgets. Her on-again, off-again affair with budgets left her feeling stressed -- and slightly depressed. I spent some time with Lisha. And then it clicked -- she began to realize that a budget is not a *law*. It's simply one of many tools available -- for someone who chooses to use it. If the fear of budgeting actually prevents a person from saving any money at all, then there's a real problem. Lisha chose to remove her stumbling block that day. She allowed her mind to open up. Other tools began to catch her attention. These alternative tools now represent freedom for Lisha. No more drag on her energy! Can you relate? Once you acknowledge a challenge -- any challenge -- it frees you up to discover alternatives. Have you ever noticed that, once you've made a decision about something, you begin to notice things that were there all along? But you couldn't see them, because there was something blocking your view. Now you see new ideas everywhere, at every turn. Even when you try to get some sleep, these ideas will track you down. They surround you. Reach out and pluck them. They're yours for the taking. We each want to do better with our money. We want to be able to save more, too. But sometimes we associate the word *budget* with *giving up everything.* And we're not alone in this view. I mean, how many people do you know who get really excited about doing a budget? Do your friends hold budget parties? No, probably not. Mine don't, either. The truth is, some do a budget even though they may not enjoy it. Some don't, because the thought alone is just too painful and restrictive for them. Is your ultimate goal to do a budget? Or is your *true* goal to have money for the things you need and want? See the difference? If the more popular money methods worked for everyone, each person on the planet would keep a budget. There would be no debt (and much less spending) because we'd all be operating under the influence of the budget (smile). So, allow yourself to unearth something new. A strategy or method that excites you. Choose a money method that is respectful in meeting your needs. And the next time you hear the *budget* word, straighten your shoulders, hold your head high, and remember your true goal. Is it to *budget?* Author Resource: Darlene Arechederra leads the delightful series, "Coming Home: A Woman's Journey to One-Income Living." Women of two-income households who want to find their way back home from the workplace will enjoy this gentle, energizing jumpstart. Visit Darlene for more household budget tips |