Budget: A Word We Love to Hate
Budget: A Word We Love to Hate
“Budget.”
It’s a word that makes most people cringe. It sounds rigid. Limiting. Like a set of rules designed to take all the fun out of life.
I get it.
When you think of “budget,” your mind might go straight to no.
NO dinners out,
NO Target runs,
NO extras.
It’s no wonder people avoid it. They want to enjoy life, not feel boxed in by spreadsheets.
But what if a budget isn’t about restriction at all?
What if it’s actually about freedom, the kind that lets you spend, save, and give with purpose and peace?
From Fear to Freedom: My Own Budget Story
A couple of weeks ago, I upgraded to a 2022 RAV4 Hybrid. Before signing the paperwork, I opened my budget, plugged in the numbers, and looked at the full picture.
That simple step gave me confidence in my decision.
Then, literally the next day after bringing the car home, I got the news that one of my jobs was cutting my pay by 30%. In the past, that kind of news would have sent me spiraling. I would’ve felt overwhelmed, not knowing how it would affect our family’s finances.
But this time was different.
I went back to my budget, entered the new numbers, and could see exactly how things would shift. Instead of feeling powerless, I knew where to adjust. Did I feel worried? A little. But the worry didn’t take over, because I could see the truth on paper, not just feel the fear in my chest.
That’s the kind of freedom a budget brings.
When You Stop Keeping It All in Your Head
I had two different clients who came to me with high levels of anxiety around money.
One of the first questions I asked them was, “How are you currently managing your money?”
Both of them described a similar approach, they were managing it all in their heads, trying to keep track of what was coming in and going out.
They were carrying their entire financial world mentally, remembering what bills were due, how much was in each account, and what they could afford that week. No wonder they felt anxious. Their minds were doing the work a simple plan could do for them.
As we started to build a budget that worked for them, something shifted.
They could see their money for the first time, and with that clarity came calm.
One told me, “This actually feels good!”
Another said, “I’m starting to feel confident with my money.”
A budget doesn’t box you in. It gives your money a home, so your mind can finally rest.
The Reframe: A Budget Is Freedom, Not Restriction
The reason so many people resist budgeting is because it feels like being told “no.”
But the truth? A budget is your permission slip to say yes, to the things that matter most.
It’s not about deprivation. It’s about direction.
You decide where your money goes. You design your plan. You create the boundaries that support the life you want.
There’s no one-size-fits-all formula. The best budget is simply the one you’ll stick to.
Crash Diets and Crash Budgets
Think of budgeting like dieting.
Crash diets promise quick results but rarely last. You lose a few pounds, feel miserable, and then rebound right back.
Crash budgets work the same way. You cut everything out, live in restriction for a few weeks, and then feel guilty when you “fall off.”
You know the type: beans and rice until further notice, selling everything that isn’t nailed down. I respect the intensity, but I’m not trying to get my kids to worry that they’re next on the list.
Sustainable budgeting is about balance, not punishment. It’s about creating habits you can live with for the long haul.
Designing a Budget That Fits Your Life
When I help clients build their budget, I always ask a question I first learned from my mentor, Kelsa Dickey:
“What are the top three things you spend money on that you’d never want to give up?”
Because that’s where the magic starts.
Some families value adventure and travel, creating memories in new places. Others find joy in hosting loved ones in their backyard, building a space where laughter lingers. Neither is better. Both are beautiful.
It’s not about fitting into someone else’s version of “right.”
It’s about identifying what matters most to you, and letting your budget reflect that.
Faith and Freedom
When we steward our money intentionally, we’re not being controlled by it, we’re aligning it with the life we feel called to build.
A budget becomes less about limits and more about living in alignment with purpose.
It’s an act of trust, not a test of willpower.
The Freedom of Clarity
A budget doesn’t control you, it gives you control.
It’s how you move from reacting in fear to responding with confidence.
You can do this.
You can build a budget that reflects your values, supports your family, and creates peace in your finances.
Money doesn’t have to feel heavy, it can feel hopeful.
And if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m just bad with money,” I want to encourage you to pause right there.
You’re not bad with money, you just haven’t been taught how to manage it yet.
That idea comes from something my mentor, Kelsa Dickey, founder of the Financial Coach Academy® teaches, and it’s one of the most freeing truths I’ve ever heard.
It’s not about being bad with money. It’s about learning skills that most of us were never taught:
How to time expenses with cash flow
Plan for non-monthly costs,
And make intentional choices instead of reactive ones.
We’ll dig into that more in my next post, because once you understand that money management is a learnable skill, the shame starts to fall away, and real transformation can begin.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Here are a few ways to stay connected and keep growing:
🤝 Ready for deeper change? Learn what financial coaching could look like for you on my Work With Me page.
Here’s to freedom, not restriction,
and to building a life (and a budget) you actually love.
Christi
P.S. I’d love to hear what stands out for you after reading. If something clicks or brings a new sense of clarity, hit reply and share your “aha” moment, I read every message that comes through. 💛
