WHEN IT COMES TO YOU AND MONEY, WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Welcome to Budget with a Why! We’re excited you’re here, and we’re excited to go on this money journey with you.
Over these next five courses, we’ll walk you through creating a budget with purpose. From figuring out what’s important to you, all the way to inspiring you to think of ways you can live out your values. Because budgeting is more than just dollars and cents, and we think you probably agree.
To get you thinking just a bit, check out the mini-assignment below, and let us know where you want to go on your money journey.
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Today’s Mini-Assignment
We sat down with some budgeters, and asked them where they want to go financially. Here’s what they said:
“Up. I’d like to go up, which means having more money. I think of a growth chart, like my kids have at the doctor’s office, and I want to check in and see how it’s doing.” Paul, father of three.
“When I hear that, it sounds like a relationship. I want to go places with money, like literally travel.” Kendall, fabulously child-free.
“I think of ‘enough.’ I don’t want to have to think about it as much, not every day.” Matt, thinking about moving.
“Somewhere free, not like I don’t have to pay, but like a feeling of freedom. Thinking about being debt-free, that’s where I want to go.” Karisa, paying off student loans
Okay, now your turn! When it comes to you and money, where do you want to go? Let us know in the comments below!
Happy budgeting,
-The Goodbudget Team
214 thoughts on “Welcome to Goodbudget 201: Budget with a Why”
I would like to be more wise in budgetting our money to save more for our future with my family.
I’d like to be able to retire knowing I can maintain my current standard of living, without fear of running out of money.
I feel exactly the same as Sharon ( above comment). I want to be able to continue my life in retirement comfortably, without fear of running out of money through overspending.
I would like to make sure that I can manage money correctly.
I would like to live without worrying how I will pay for things I need and want. I would also like to be able to give in some fashion to the needy.
I need to get control of how much I am actually spending. Goodbudget is helping me understand where I really spend, and as I learn this, I can start changing my spending habits to more healthy ones.
Not to live paycheck to paycheck. Invest for my older years.emergency fund. Clean my credit score. If I want to order something like a pizza. I would have the money to do it. Make monthly payments to my charity.
To make sure that the flow of cash is going well, so that expenses can be managed correctly.
Debt free the rest of my life by me controlling my money and not the other way around!
I want my money to work harder for me than I do for it! I’m afraid of budgeting because I think it will take away all my fun and freedom. After looking back at what my parents have done with their money though, I think I’m up for a little more financial discipline.
Exactly what Karisa said. Debt free!
“Somewhere free, not like I don’t have to pay, but like a feeling of freedom. Thinking about being debt-free, that’s where I want to go.” Karisa, paying off student loans
I would like to set an overall goal to save each year. For example if at the end of 2022 I was able to save 4,000, I would strive to save to save 5,000 more by the end of 2023 and each following year determine how I can do better, looking at the stumbling blocks and figure out how I can avoid them the next year.
I want to learn how to budget, and save money. I have seen the envelope method, and I really would like to learn how to do that.
After a long period of unemployment I finally have a stable income – however I’d gotten so used to living tightly I now have no idea how best to spend my money. I want to put it to good use, and feel confident that I’m using it wisely.
I am nearing retirement and would like to be better at saving so I can manage and unexpected bills.
I’d like to save up for my next car to pay for it all cash like I did this time around. I’d like to also save up a nest egg to have in case this car needs to be fixed. It will be all possible bc of my God Jehovah as I throw my burdens on him as he says in Psalm 55:22….
I want to be debt free. I want to be able to take my kiddo to Disney for his 10th bday because I was able to save to go. I’m not afraid of a little hard work! I have three jobs at the moment and I’m still living paycheck to paycheck because of these darn credit cards. I want to kick them for good.
Money has no feelings, but it can bring a lot of feelings and difficult dynamics into relationship. I would like to know where money is going and within means so debt doesn’t feel necessary or demand so much of our income. I would like to get to the place where need are met, debt is paid, and we can work towards larger financial goals that bring joy. And that my husband and I could experience unity and joy as we navigate the process rather than reliving our parent’s narrative surrounding money.
Anywhere is better than where I am at now. I want a home or something that is mine and nobody helped me get it
I want to be a better saver so that emergencies do not turn into a huge problem.
i want to be able to stick to my budget more and want to be able to save consistently
This is what I want too.
As my main source of income is social security, it is crucial for me to budget. I have managed to almost clear my debt by getting a credit card which is charging no interest and plowing as much as I can to pay it off. I am to the point I don’t lack much paying it off. The thing about this is you have to commit to paying it off before the time interest kicks in , however if you dedicate to doing it by restricting your buying to need instead of want I have found being debt free is worth it for me. It has been satisfying to see my progress toward my goal being achieved. My next goal will be to add to my savings.
My goal is to be debt free, live within my means, and save for emergencies. At 80 years old and my main source of income being social security this can be tricky with inflation increasing daily. Being able to see where my money is going has been helpful in my efforts and goals.
I want to pay down my debt as quickly as I can.
I want to get to a place where I can confidently manage and multiply the little money I have. Both in business and in my home.
I want to save money, pay my debt and be debt free.
I want to do fun activities and travel with my family.
I like spending money on myself. Self-care is important to me.
I want to have expendable income that allows me to be flexible with my hard earned money.
Saving n investing into more
When I retire I want to be able travel and not have to think about when I can do it but where I can go.
I want to budget my money more effectively so that I have money for health issues.i do not have insurance at this time.
I want to retire and be comfortable.
I am trying to manage my money well so I can retire comfortably and be generous.
To have that reassurance that I know what money I have to spend at any given moment, that I have savings for what I need and guilt free spending money I can enjoy without any worry.
I don’t know how to do a budget because my mom doesn’t give me all the information I need to start.
I want to be able to afford a condo and have my very own place.
I’d like to have a vehicle and a condo and still have money to play with to spend on whatever I want without running out.
Last year my expenses increased at the same time my income declined.- my wife passed away and my son became homeless and moved in. I had a safety fund saved for the unexpected. It has kept me from going into debt, but now I need to adjust my spending habits to fit my income, save a bit and cope with inflation in a way that allows me to still enjoy retirement. It has been challenging with so many things changing at the same time, not to mention that my wife was better at managing money than I am.
I made a comment already. But I’d like to Still be able to keep my car and save up for another one since God who is Jehovah has promised me that when I throw my plans on Him he will make them successful as he says in Proverbs 16:3. So I’m sure that I will be successful bc I’m throwing all my plans on Him.
Philippians 4:19
I would like to not worry all the time that we do not have enough money. I am retired and my husband is semi-retired. It feels like I am constantly worried about some emergency coming up that will completely wipe us out of what savings we have.
I would like to have enough for giving on a preplanned basis to charities I want to support
I want to save for fun things and retirement while living in my means and giving generously.
I want to control my giving away. And have to do it under my terms and conditions to support financially others.
I want to feel confident and control my money spending and our family budget. I want to retire maintaining current or higher living standards and be financially stable.
I need to know I can manage my money right and not worry about any emergency that may come alon
I retired last month. Still waiting for word on what my 3rd pension will amount to. My husband sold enough farmland 6 yrs ago so we could pay cash from the net sale proceeds to buy our current home. The rest was invested. A few yrs ago he sold more land & invested that. We would like to live off our pensions and NOT use any investment income. We have no mortgage but still pay utilities, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance re the house, plus all our other monthly expenses. Our pensions will not increase. They are not indexed to inflation. What is an adequate pension amount today will not be in 10 years. We want to live without worrying about spending, but… will our investments even last the next 30 years, if we are blessed to live that long? We want to leave funds for our 4 adult children, and 1 grandchild. It is difficult to change our mindset from constantly saving for a rainy day, but it is crucial for us to remain debt free so we can leave the kids in a good position financially when we pass away. I worry more about money now than I even did when working full time.
Hi. I want to be able to pay my bills on time and not run out of money long before i get my pension
I want to be able to pay my bills on time and not be out of money long before my next pension
The Importance of Money for a Worry-Free Life
Money is an essential aspect of life that significantly contributes to a sense of security and well-being. For me, having sufficient financial resources is crucial because it alleviates the constant worry about meeting basic needs and allows me to focus on building a better future for my family.
With more money, I can ensure that my son has access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities that will set him up for success. It means being able to provide him with the best possible start in life without the stress of financial constraints.
Financial stability also means peace of mind. It removes the daily anxieties about bills, emergencies, and unexpected expenses. This security allows me to be more present and supportive for my son, creating a nurturing environment where he can thrive.
In summary, money is important to me because it represents freedom from worry, the ability to provide for my son’s needs, and the opportunity to focus on what truly matters—our happiness and well-being.
To me money is freedom, peace of mind, opportunities, worry free, comfort