Loud Budgeting: Power in Numbers
Loud budgeting has taken social media by storm recently, and this is a craze I can really get behind. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment.
The cost of everything is exploding, as we all know. From housing to food to insurance, inflation is taking a toll on everyone’s budget these days. This trend has led to some interesting rebellion, one form being loud budgeting — applying voice to one’s finances by making money-conscious decisions and talking about it… or posting about it on social media.
Truth is, most of us cannot afford to keep up with the Joneses. And in a world where the Joneses are posting every vacation and expensive weekend jaunt, it’s refreshing to see an opposing movement geared toward paring down instead of keeping up.
New Essential Costs
The world has changed drastically since mass adoption of the internet, including how consumers spend. From that internet bill to streaming services to family cell phone plans, we now have a whole category of fixed costs that didn’t even exist thirty years ago. And these expenses are here to stay.
Money Taboos
Money has long been one of the most taboo conversational topics. Research shows that people prefer to discuss sex, death, and politics over money. Wow.
However, it’s a topic that’s gaining more and more attention on social media, in the news, and around dining tables. And I’m here for it. You manage what you monitor, and you monitor what you talk openly about.
Accountability
A pillar of my coaching practice is accountability. And that looks different for different people. Some need the companionship that comes with having a buddy along for the ride to stay motivated when monitoring gets difficult or boring. Some need journaling about experiences and feelings to reflect and bring awareness. Some need to be able to abandon shame and share honestly with a trusted loved one. And some need a coach, an unbiased listener to ask the right questions and help motivate.
In my own journey I’ve relied heavily on the kindness and openness of friends and family to allow me to talk through experiences and lessons — especially starting out. Finding those people was life changing. Shout out to my parents and both sets of amazing in-laws, my work bff (you know who you are), and of course my husband. All of these people (and a few more) are my most trusted confidants when it comes to my own loud budgeting.
I encourage everyone I speak with to find their money buddy, even offering discounts to individual clients who want to start their financial coaching together. I do that because it’s effective.
Loud budgeting is exactly what our society needs right now. With inflation at stupid levels, new categories of essential costs we never dreamed we’d have, and taboos around money finally falling away, the time is now. Join me on a loud budgeting journey! There’s power in numbers!