By: John Glover (MBA)

There are many different scenarios when it comes to financial planning. Let’s say you and your partner recently moved in together, and now you are figuring out how to split the bills. Or perhaps you and your roommate have expensive rent in a big city and are trying to find ways to save a little extra cash. Or maybe you live by yourself and want to put money aside to travel. Whatever your story may be, it’s okay not to have everything figured out. 

Financial planning and just money in general is stressful for most people. Studies show that 71% of Americans say money is a huge stressor in their lives. People everywhere around you are in the same boat, and having questions and concerns about your finances means you care. Caring about your money is the first step to really taking control of your finances and can give you the persistence to stick to your goals. 

Now, you most likely can’t just save money blindly. Most people need to do some financial planning or budgeting to keep themselves on track. Financial planning sounds like one of the most boring activities in the world. Talking about money can lead to fights and confusion and, if not done right, can cause more harm than good. Budgeting needs to be done constructively for it to work, and it doesn’t have to be the chore you think it is. There are ways to spice up your night while spicing up your finances, no matter your situation. 

Calendar and Wine Night

Who doesn’t love a fun drink at the end of a long workday? Whatever your preferences are: wine, beer, cocktails or soda, there are ways to incorporate fun into finances. Take a few nights out of the year for a calendar and wine (drink of choice) night. I connected with Michael A Scarpati, CEO of RetireUS, about this idea. He says pulling out a large calendar and writing down your different activities/commitments, bill deadlines, or projects for the next several months can help you visualize what you have going on so you can budget accordingly. Getting ahead on your savings will help you feel at peace with spending because you know you are not just doling out money spontaneously. 

The goal of a calendar and wine night is to take some of the weight off your shoulders when it comes to budgeting and give you something to look forward to at the end of the day. You can do this by yourself or with a partner; it doesn’t really matter. Just knowing you can have a fun little beverage while doing something productive is a huge relief in the stressful world of finances. 

Binge Watch and Budget

No sweat if you’re not into the calendar and wine night idea! You don’t have to go all out to do some financial planning, but there are more ways to incorporate things you like. Put on your comfort TV show or movie, light a candle and order your favorite take-out food. Setting up a comfortable space with things you love can help put you in the right mindset to begin budgeting. As I mentioned earlier, money is stressful, so the ultimate goal is to make yourself as calm and relaxed as possible. When you get flustered and upset with your budgeting, it will just cause a downward spiral, which is not good for anybody. Take a deep breath, surround yourself with things you love and get to work! 

Quality Time Counts

You can also change your outlook on financial planning. Instead of thinking about it as a chore or just something you have to get through, look at it as an activity you get to do with someone special. If you live with your partner and are using an evening to figure out how you both are paying for things, feel grateful you get to spend time with someone you love. Daily life is buzzing, so it’s nice to slow down and spend quality time with someone who matters to you. It doesn’t matter what you are doing, in this case, financial planning; instead, focus on the fact that you can grow with another person. Your mindset is everything, so find a way to spin it into something positive. 

There are so many other ways to make budgeting fun for you. Budgeting is necessary, but it doesn’t have to be something you dread. Get creative and find a way to have fun with your finances in a way that works for you. Your attitude is everything, and if you have a positive one, it will translate into your savings. How can you spice things up?

Published by: Martin De Juan