Having a hard time following your budget? Plan for
your Splurges
We all work hard to earn money. Saving and
investing money is essential, as it can help you have a better future. After
taking care of necessary expenditures and investments, you can make way for
splurges in your budget.
Everyone has specific areas where they want to
splurge, and that is perfectly fine.
Here’s why you should include splurges in your
budget:
Most of the items that are accounted for in your
budget are things that you aren’t excited about. Paying rent and bills is
boring. But what if you planned for that spa or lettering kit? In that case,
you would be more inclined to follow your budget.
Moreover, spending money on our wants makes us feel
good about ourselves. If you are very restrictive about your spending, you can
get frustrated, and that willdiminish your will to follow your budget.
Moreover, there can be a higher risk of going overboard when you finally spend
money.
Making way for your splurges in your budget gives
you the permission to spend money in a planned manner.
How to splurge
It is easy to confuse splurging with lavish
spending. Here’s how you can plan and enjoy your splurges:
Be cautious if you are paying off debt
Are you paying off debt such as personal loans or
credit card bills? In that case, you might want to be cautious while splurging.
Don’t avoid splurging altogether. Keep it very minimal. Otherwise, paying off
your debt may feel like a struggle and you may later end up taking more debt to
compensate.
Limit your splurges to a small percentage of your
income
While spending a part of your income may make you
feel good, it is vital to set a limit. One can spend 10% of their income on
wants. However, you need to decide where you want to spend and the percentage
of your income that you want to set aside for that expenditure.
Create a splurge fund
Now that you have figured out the percentage of
your income that you want to allocate towards splurges, it is time to create a
splurge fund. You can park the money in a liquid fund especially meant for your
splurges. If you are aiming for a large purchase, you can set up a Systematic
Investment Plan (SIP) and the amount will be automatically debited from your
savings and credited to your liquid fund.
If your splurges don’t require investment, you can
transfer the amount to a different savings account. You can park your bonus,
cash gifts received, etc., in your splurge fund.
Don’t let your emotions control your spending
Emotions play a significant role in how we handle
our money. Sadness and successes can prompt you to spend more money. So, it is
best not to make any rash decisions under these circumstances. It is better to
ask yourself if you would spend the money otherwise as well. You may later end
up regretting your spending decisions.
Don’t feel guilty about spending money
Many people feel guilty after spending money. But
it’s not something you need to feel guilty about. You have planned for your
splurges after considering your needs and investments.
Moreover, don’t feel guilty aboutspending money
with your loved ones as relationships eventually mean more to a healthy life.
Mix things up
You may have specific areas where you enjoy
spending money. However, it may fail to deliver the same level of happiness for
months on end. So, it is always an excellent option to mix things up and try
something new. For example, if you love reading self-improvement books, you can
switch to reading a few novels. Or you can take up a new interest or hobby.
Conclusion:
Splurging in a planned way can help you follow your
budget. You can budget a certain percentage of your income as ‘fun money’ that
you could use to buy things or experiences that you love or for any unplanned
expenses. By planning your splurges in your budget, you can have fun with zero
guilt.
This blog is purely for educational purpose and not
to be treated as a personal advice. Mutual fund investments are subject to
market risks, Read all scheme related documents carefully.
#niveshsimplified #fundvaliz #mutualfundsahihai #investment