We definitely need help to survive sometimes and being frugal is usually a virtue – but budgeting goes beyond just surviving and being frugal.

I am thinking about the people who don’t consider themselves necessarily frugal (but not wasteful) and they have enough money to not worry about surviving. Do they need to budget?

We are created with plans for a hope and a future – we have to remember this. The common word “budgeting” encompasses planning to accomplish our most noble goals. It is a wonderful word appropriately associated with the words “courage,” “faith,” perseverance,” and “victory.” It is a main element of most great achievements.

Budgeting is not just about money but reflects our attitude toward the stewardship of all resources, including time and talent, that have been entrusted to us. “Budgeting” is your tool to change your life – not just survive.

I just say this to encourage whoever might read it! - to help you accomplish great things!

 Good word! Thanks, Babs

 I know it may sound silly, but my husband really liked that Dave Ramsey called it a Cash Flow Plan instead of a budget.  My husband is one of the  most self-controlled people I know, but the word budget must have irked him or made him feel too confined or something?!  He told me that CFP made it a proactive thing.  As if we were giving our money a job to do for our good.  It helped to change how he viewed it.  

Thanks for the encouraging words! 

When entrepreneurs seek money for their fledgling companies, they have to submit Business Plans, of which a key element is the CaSh Flow Plan.  If your DH is a businessman, that might be why he prefers the CFP title.

I agree with your husband that it should be a proactive thing. I think the main reason people don't like the word "budget" is that most budget systems are not proactive - they just track what you've spent historically but don't show what show how you plan to spend (budget) your remaining money for the future.

Dave Ramsey uses the traditional cash envelope system which is a proactive system. In this system, you divide your money into envelopes according to how you are going to use it in the future (your food money goes into your "food" envelope, your entertainment money goes into your "entertainment", etc.). This is a great system but you do have the risk of carrying around a lot of money. The BudgetMap system is based on the same main idea except you can keep your money in the bank - the BudgetMap register allows you to divide your check or savings account into the special categories ("Food," "Entertainment," etc.) that make up your budget. It shows you how you plan to spend (budget) your money in the future in addition to tracking it.

Whatever word you use, "budget" or "spending plan" or whatever is a wonderful process that allows you to plan for the future (proactive) way beyond just surviving. "Budgeting" is for people at all income levels!

Bill:

We definitely need help to survive sometimes and being frugal is usually a virtue – but budgeting goes beyond just surviving and being frugal.

 

I am thinking about the people who don’t consider themselves necessarily frugal (but not wasteful) and they have enough money to not worry about surviving. Do they need to budget?

 

We are created with plans for a hope and a future – we have to remember this. The common word “budgeting” encompasses planning to accomplish our most noble goals. It is a wonderful word appropriately associated with the words “courage,” “faith,” perseverance,” and “victory.” It is a main element of most great achievements.

 

Budgeting is not just about money but reflects our attitude toward the stewardship of all resources, including time and talent, that have been entrusted to us. “Budgeting” is your tool to change your life – not just survive.

 

I just say this to encourage whoever might read it! - to help you accomplish great things!

 

I have printed this out and posted it on my fridge door.  Great thoughts, thank you!

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Thank you Rolo - that encourages me.