Kim Palmer

I think it really goes back to having that ballpark budget, then digging into those wants.

So you have your allotted amount for wants.

And then if you want to do something fun, like go on a trip or plan a vacation, you can pull from that section of your budget that's for those optional items like wants.

And because it's in that framework, I think it takes away from the guilt.

You definitely want to make sure you have

Have some fun built into your budget because if you are constantly saying no to yourself and not letting yourself have any splurges at all, then it's easy just to want to let go of your budget altogether.

So even if you're building in some small things right now, like getting coffee with a friend or going to the movies, it doesn't have to be extravagant, but you want to make sure you have something in there that's making you feel good.

So you want to stick with it.

It can.

I think this is where some advanced planning really comes into play.

And I also love the idea of sinking funds.

So say Michael has a fun expense that's coming up that they want to plan for.

Like, let's just say it's a vacation, for an example.

Then you want to start setting aside money the months ahead of that vacation.

So you are slowly building up that account.

You're

You don't have to feel guilty because there it is.

You've planned for it.

You're allowed to spend it.

And that way, by setting money aside each month in advance of the big expense, you know you're ready for it.