The Magic of Budgeting

My husband and I travel frequently, and the truth is, we are able to do so because of our budget (and maybe because of my slight paranoia that there’s too many places to see and not enough time to explore).

Finances scare a lot of people. Taking a cold hard look at how much you make and where it all goes can sometimes feel like a daunting and overwhelming process. However, finances are a beautiful thing. Instead of looking at your budget as something that is constrictive or limiting, look at your budget as a map or a means to get where you want to be in your life. Once you understand how much money is spent on your monthly bills, you are able to analyze your discretionary income to see how that money will be most beneficial for your life.

Saving increases my excitement about an upcoming trip because I see the vacation fund constantly increasing. Another great bonus about having a “vacation fund” line item in your savings account is that if the unforeseen happens and you don’t have enough in your savings for an unexpected bill, car repair, or medical expense, the vacation fund is there to help cover your costs. Again, it’s all about being flexible and making the most out of your money.

I may be a little obsessive about our finances, but it has allowed us to do a lot of exploring in the last few years. It has also helped us pay down loans, and save for our first home.  Everyone has different spending habits and different interests; for us, instead of going to a lot of sporting events in our home town, eating out all the time, or spending hundreds of dollars shopping at the mall each month, we have decided to save our money in order to travel and create life long memories with each other.

My advice is to start small, set aside a small amount each paycheck and as the fund grows you may be encouraged to increase the amount saved from each paycheck. Before you know it you will have enough to pay for your next amazing vacation.

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