I once heard the term “spending plan” from a previous employer. It sounds so much nicer than “budget”, don’t you think? Budget is so negative, like you can’t spend anything, ever! It’s like the word “diet”. You have to spend money, so why not just have it a little more structured and make it a spending plan!
I have my small accordion folder ready for my Cash Only Spending Plan. My husband and I will not be using our debit cards or credit cards for anything. We will pay our phone and utilities online, but everything else will be cash. So, who’s in?! Grab a small accordion folder and mentally prepare for cash only! I will begin on Monday Dec 6th 2010. Don’t worry if you’re tuning in late, I’ll have everything documented for you to start whenever you would like.
I’ll be honest, it’s a little scary! About a year ago, we had no money, I mean none as in we had to borrow money. I remember thinking how can you budget when you don’t have any money to budget? It was a very difficult time for my husband and I. Oh, and did I mention we were newlywed’s, and had just found out we were pregnant? Things have gotten better. We have a limited income, but who doesn’t these days? I really learned how to “stretch a buck” back then as I always say. I am so glad for that, it has completely changed the way we think about money and how we spend money.
I think the Cash Only Spending Plan goes hand in hand with the way we have been living the past year and a half. We have been “making our money stretch”, but now we are going to make it stretch in it’s own little category. That way when the money for “entertainment” is gone for the month, it’s gone. We will have to watch a movie at home instead of going out.
Come and join me for the Cash Only Spending Plan. I’m excited!