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We all keep things to ourselves. In my financial life there are a few expenses I’ve never shared — but today I have a confession: I hate budgeting.
I’m not a fan of tracking every penny or feeling restricted. It’s not entirely rational, but I don’t like being limited, and that dislike shapes how I manage money. I want to save, but I also want to enjoy my life.
That doesn’t mean budgeting is useless. When you’re starting out, any tool that helps you get out of debt or understand your spending can be valuable. I used to save my loose change in a jar and get a small thrill counting it. Eventually I stopped because I didn’t like reducing the cash I could use. Now I rely on my credit card and the statement or a spreadsheet to keep an easy record of spending.
If you’re new to personal finance, a short-term budget can help you see where you stand and what needs fixing. Once you’ve built good habits, you don’t need to stress over every coffee.
I don’t want to be the person who’s always cheap at social outings — the one who avoids paying their share. I do try to avoid debt and prioritize saving. My approach is straightforward and it works for me, even if it wouldn’t suit everyone.
Priorities matter: you can have many things, but not everything. I’ve wanted an iPad for a long time, but I can’t justify buying it yet. Delaying gratification for more important goals is often the right choice.
Also focus on increasing your income. Being frugal can be creative, but it can get boring. Finding ways to earn more keeps things interesting and accelerates progress.
I understand how budgeting works; it just isn’t my style. If a budget helps you save and move forward, that’s great. The important parts are saving and avoiding consumer debt — you don’t have to record every small purchase to make real financial progress.
