Budget does NOT Mean Cheap

Why does the word budget make me think that I have to live so cheaply?  I don't get it?  I believe people can be on a budget and spend big and really get whatever they want.  Let me look at what the word budget really means.

budg·et

  [buhj-it]  Show IPA noun, adjective, verb,budg·et·ed, budg·et·ing.

noun

1.

an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future.

2.

a plan of operations based on such an estimate.

3.

an itemized allotment of funds, time, etc., for a given period.

4.

the total sum of money set aside or needed for a purpose: the construction budget.

5.

a limited stock or supply of something: his budget of goodwill.

An estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period of time.  A plan of operations based on such an estimate.  Does that sound like cheap or suffering?  Does that sound stressful?  Does that sound like you have to squeeze by or you have to use coupons on everything you buy?  It doesn't to me.  To me it makes me feel organized and secure, like there is a plan.

Don't believe the lie that just because you have a budget you are going to be suffering like you are on a diet.  Now if you have gotten yourself into a financial mess there will be baby steps to get out of it, but just having the plan written out, is relieving and not restricting.  Freedom will come from it.

Here is a few good places to start: 

Dave Ramsey's Baby Steps
Dave Ramsey's Budgeting Forms
Dave Ramsey's Radio Show

Listen to some of his advice and it is practical and easy to understand.  I love listening to his radio show and also am doing the Baby Steps and have used some of his budgeting forms.  It can be fun if you change your perspective on budgeting. 

More later...