Summer is almost here and all we want to do is be outside and do fun things. Obviously. Unfortunately AND fortunately, some of us are on a continual budget, whether or not we bump it up or down throughout the year. Budgets help us afford the bigger purchases we want/need; allow us to get back on track, or keep us sane because money can be a real B sometimes.

Yes that trip to the Cape is a bit pricey. So how can you make it happen? I just went to the Vineyard which I wouldn’t have been able to afford typically on a June weekend, but one of my good friends has a house near the beach. Lucky? Very! And I made it work on a strict budget and still had a fabulous time.

The reasons I’ve been on a budget over the past years change, but there is one common theme. It’s either situational or long term goals I’m trying to meet:

• Buying a condo
• Moving
• Being a grad student
• The city is expensive
• Too many weddings
• Vacation
• “Needing” that pair of shoes
• Job transitions
• Saving an emergency fund / retirement fund

These budgets influence not only my day to day, but also the week to week and month to month adventures I would typically want to have. So I try to think big picture down to the day to day. For example, if I know I need to stick to 1200 a month on expenses each month (outside of mortgage), then I need to calculate that down to what that means per week. Typically I will shoot for 200 a week, which gives 300-400 for unexpected and larger expenses such as a haircut or contact lenses. With that 200 a week then I’ll budget in groceries, minor expenses, going out with friends, etc. If I plan to go out more than once, then I’ll skimp on other things – ex. the morning coffee. I’ll try to bring lunch when I can and/or snacks when I’m on the go. That way I’m less likely to grab a granola bar when I know I have 20 at home I could have had instead.

Being gluten-free has made eating/snacking more interesting too. It costs more to get what I need/want but there’s also less options at most places such as coffee shops. This is good and bad. Good because I’m less likely to purchase snacks, and more likely to bring stuff with me. Bad because it costs more to be healthy – raises fist!

Budgets are hard. Money is frustrating. But if you have a mental system on knowing what you should try to stick to and keep an eye on when and where you swipe your card most, you’ll start to get into a better rhythm.

There are some weeks and in turn months when I’ll definitely go over budget. It’s impossible not to, sometimes. I mean those shoes… So, if I know I spent more one week because I went away for a weekend, then I’ll spend less the following week and try to stay in more. It all has to balance out, so you don’t tip over completely and then can’t afford what you’ve been saving all this time for.

What are your budget woes and tips for succeeding? What do you keep your eye on?

#radiatedaily