The money we have can be allocated into different sections.
We could really break them down into 3 or 4. They are:
- Living expenses – what you need so you can eat, have a roof over your head, all the essentials that have to be paid
- Savings – if you’ve read about my thoughts on mindful living and budgeting for it you’ll know what I’m talking about
- Fun Money – the money you can spend on a whim, or on doing something that is non essential but worthwhile
- Debt – not everyone will have this but it is a reality for some
What happens when you’re unable to allocate for all these sections?
Different people put different priorities on what needs to be paid first. But for me, and I can only assume for others it’s the ‘fun money’ that gets left out of the equation. The most sensible choice really, isn’t it?! That may be so, but it makes things tough. Without an allocation for fun money there are no dinners out with friends, no impulsive trips to the movies and no ‘toys’ like iPads and Wii’s. And with that, especially where you work for your self, there is no time off your job.
If you don’t have any money to do anything but work, then all you can do is work. It is something that is troubling me at the moment. It was a choice for me to go into business for myself, even if the unemployment market made me feel it was the only option. It was a choice for me to say no to credit card offers and to keep my savings. But choices have consequences, like everything does. And for me it’s time to start re-evaluating what is important, and changing the way I do things.
I need to learn to not feel guilty for the occasional consumer purchase, and that while handmade is a great option, sometimes having a video game to play is OK.
Making Priorities
I am learning that everything is about priorities and what comes first. When I was saving to travel to all the places I have been, I gave up most of my fun money in return for having that fun later. It was totally worth it. If you’re saving for a goal, that might be the case too.
Now that the end of the year is upon us, it’s time to think about what I want for next year and how I make it a reality. I want 25 to be amazing. I want to make bold decisions and to feel safe in those decisions.
It’s time to shake things up and to find some fun money so that ‘fun’ is part of the equation again.
Do you feel that fun money is important? Is it high on your priority list? Have you let it slip for other goals? I’d love to know your thoughts, tell me in the comments.
