4 Reasons You Should Be Excited to Live on a Budget

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. APY = Annual Percentage Yield
Do you dread the idea of living on a budget? Change your mindset by exploring all the reasons budgeting can be fun.

Do you dread the idea of living on a budget? Change your mindset by exploring all the reasons budgeting can be fun. 

Many people look at budgeting as a necessary evil. It's something they dread doing and wish they could avoid. After all, who wants to sit down and find ways to cut spending -- especially since they usually involve limiting opportunities to buy fun stuff?

In reality, budgeting is something you should be excited about. You just need to change your mindset. Instead of looking at budgeting as something that is limiting, understand that making a budget is actually empowering and opens the door to future adventures. 

Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards

It may not be easy to suddenly start seeing budgets in a new way. But here are four reasons why you should be excited to live on a budget which may just convince you that it really is a good thing after all. 

1. Budgets enable spending without guilt or worry

Spending money on fun stuff should be fun. But if you're worried about how you're going to pay the credit card bills or are making purchases you aren't 100% sure you can afford, spending on things you enjoy can become a stressful experience.

If you have a budget, you'll know exactly how much money you have available to blow on new shoes, fishing gear, video games, manicures, or whatever your indulgence is. 

You'll never have to wonder whether you can actually buy that awesome new outfit you've got your eye on or whether you'll be compromising your financial goals by buying a new gaming PC. You can just spend the money you have set aside for fun and enjoy your purchase with no qualms. 

2. Budgets make it possible to save for cool stuff

One of the biggest reasons that people make a budget is so they ensure they have money to save. And the stuff you're saving for is usually pretty exciting. 

You may be saving for retirement, for a home of your own, for a wedding, or for a big purchase you want to make. All of these things are really exciting. So instead of looking at budgeting as curtailing your enjoyment now, think of it as something that will make wonderful things possible later.

To remind yourself why you're cutting back, consider making a visual of what you're saving for. You could print out a picture of your dream house or of an old couple visiting the Eiffel Tower or whatever it is you're looking forward to in your future. Put it in your wallet right next to your credit cards so if you are ever tempted to blow your budget, you'll remember why you should be excited about sticking to it instead.  

3. Your budget allows you to get the most value from your hard-earned money

Many people have made impulse purchases they regret, just because something caught their eye. When this happens, it's a huge waste of money -- which means it's a waste of the time you spent to earn it and a lost opportunity to use it for something you really value.

Making a budget means you can spend more purposefully. You can take the time to think about where you actually want your money to go and ensure that you don't squander the dollars you work so hard for. 

4. Budgets can help you eliminate money fights if you share your finances with a partner 

Fighting about money can seriously damage your relationship. Unfortunately, couples often disagree about spending or even hide spending from each other, as The Ascent's study on financial infidelity showed. You can eliminate many of your money fights if you sit down together, make a budget, and both stick to it. 

Budgeting really can be a good thing

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why you should be excited about making and living on a budget. 

If you don't already have a budget, now is the time to make one. And if you're already following a budget, hopefully looking at all the benefits will make you more excited to stick to it.

These savings accounts are FDIC insured and could earn you 11x your bank

Many people are missing out on guaranteed returns as their money languishes in a big bank savings account earning next to no interest. Our picks of the best online savings accounts could earn you 11x the national average savings account rate. Click here to uncover the best-in-class accounts that landed a spot on our short list of the best savings accounts for 2024.

Two of our top online savings account picks:

Rates as of Mar 29, 2024 Ratings Methodology
Advertisement
SoFi Checking and Savings American Express® High Yield Savings
Member FDIC. Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor

APY: up to 4.60%

APY: 4.35%

Min. to earn APY: $0

Min. to earn APY: $1

Our Research Expert

Related Articles

View All Articles Learn More Link Arrow