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My sister told me my 'fun money' was a joke and she was right
We were looking at my budget on a spreadsheet and she pointed at the $20 I had set aside each month for fun. She said, 'That's not a budget, that's a punishment. You'll just blow it on junk and feel bad.' It hit me hard because she was totally correct. I changed it to $80 and made a real plan for it, like a movie ticket or a new book. Now I actually look forward to that money instead of dreading it. It feels like a real win, not a failure. Has anyone else had to bump up a category to make it actually work for them?
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brian_smith62d ago
Wait, is $20 a month really that big of a deal? It's just coffee or a cheap lunch out. Sounds like you're overthinking a tiny part of your budget.
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smith.anna2d ago
Honestly used to be the same way, like a budget was just about cutting everything to the bone. But setting aside such a tiny amount just made me feel broke all the time, so I'd skip it and feel guilty anyway. Giving myself a real amount, like enough for a pizza delivery and a streaming subscription, changed the whole thing. Now it feels like part of the plan, not a trick I'm failing. Makes sticking to the other numbers way easier somehow.
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the_richard2d ago
Yeah, the "part of the plan, not a trick" thing is so true. I did the same with a crazy low fun money number, like five bucks. It just meant I'd blow it on a candy bar on day one and then feel restricted for the whole month. Now I budget for a real takeout meal and a new video game every few months. It doesn't feel like I'm cheating when I spend it, it's just what the money is for. That peace of mind makes it way easier to not touch the grocery or bill money.
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