Personal Finance is Personal

I didn’t coin this phrase, but boy I wish I had heard it earlier in life. I also wish I could quantify the hours I spent researching and asking others for “the one right way” to manage money. Ah, if I could have that time back…

The truest thing I know is that every person is different. We do different - at times downright peculiar - things with our resources. And money is a resource - a pretty crucial one, in fact. So of course we all use it differently.

I have a friend who has spent thousands of dollars on sleeve tattoos (they. are. gorgeous) but cares nothing about dining out and eats nearly every meal at home, and another couple I’m friends with spend thousands on nice restaurant experiences, and they have no tattoos. All of these lovely friends can afford their lives, but their expenses are prioritized differently.

So how do we create a budget that’s personalized? I’m so happy you asked. I’ve got you covered.

When it comes to money there are commonalities across all of us unique and individual snowflakes - basic needs that cost money (housing, food), experiences and things that we love but don’t need (tattoos and dining out), unexpected costly things (a car repair at the worst possible time), and an expensive future (retirement) filled with all of the above.

But personal finance is personal after all, so it’s important to find the right balance for you and to have a plan - a plan for the things you need, a plan for the non-essentials you love, and a plan for your future.