{"id":1400,"date":"2017-05-04T08:21:49","date_gmt":"2017-05-04T12:21:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/marriagekidsandmoney.com\/?p=1400"},"modified":"2020-06-26T14:08:41","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T14:08:41","slug":"10-easy-ideas-to-make-your-next-budget-session-fun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/marriagekidsandmoney.com\/10-easy-ideas-to-make-your-next-budget-session-fun\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Easy Ideas to Make Your Next Budget Session Fun"},"content":{"rendered":"

This month, I'm challenging<\/a> the listeners of the Marriage, Kids and Money Podcast<\/a>\u00a0and the readers of this blog to live on a monthly budget. Let's make this budget challenge fun!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Now, the word “budget” can make some people cringe. For some, the word puts out a vibe of restriction, lack and boredom. But for those that live on a monthly budget and know its benefits well, they understand that it really provides liberation, abundance and it can be a lot of FUN<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Here are 10 suggestions that can add some FUN into your next (or first) budget session:<\/h3>\n

1. Put Your Goals Up Front<\/span><\/h3>\n

Before you start each session, remind yourself why you're doing it. Do you want to pay off debt? Is there\u00a0a savings goal you're trying to meet? Do you want to pay off your mortgage\u00a0early<\/a>!?<\/p>\n

With that goal in mind, you'll find the drive and excitement in the budgeting process.<\/p>\n

2. Pizza, Beer, Wine<\/span><\/h3>\n

When my wife and I were DINKS, we always ordered a pizza for our “Budget Party”. We'd have some wine, beer or a cocktail (my wife is partial to a good Mimosa). This made our get togethers feel more like a party than a meeting. A little buzz and your finances … what could go wrong!?<\/p>\n

3. Kids? Take it to the Play Place!<\/span><\/h3>\n

Now that my wife and I have two kids, we have to get more creative with the budgeting process. Just having a couple of hours of free time feels like a party!<\/p>\n

\"Holding
Why we have to leave the house to budget …<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

One of our favorite parenting hacks lately has been going to a place near our house called Jungle Java<\/em>. They have a gigantic playscape that allows our kids to run around and work off their kookiness. They also have wi-fi and coffee for Nicole and I do our budget each month. A win for our kids, our finances and our sanity.<\/p>\n

4. Sit Outside on a Beautiful Day<\/span><\/h3>\n

When the sun is shining, we go outside to absorb\u00a0some Vitamin D while soaking in\u00a0some Vitamin $. (See what I did there?)<\/em><\/p>\n

Our kids enjoy our backyard, a local playscape or ride their bikes on our driveway while we hash out this month's numbers. Breathing fresh air and enjoying some rays is an excellent way to bring some fun into the budgeting process.<\/p>\n

5. Throw it up on the Big Screen<\/span><\/h3>\n

Let's say the weather is not so great and you're hunched over the laptop crunching the numbers … Throw it up on the big screen TV at your house if you have one! This will make you feel like you have a Money Command Center. You can use an HDMI cord<\/a> or a Google Chromecast\u00a0to project\u00a0what's on your laptop. Easier on the eyes for sure!<\/p>\n

6. Coffee Shop Retreat<\/span><\/h3>\n

Another great place to find some excellent wi-fi, caffeine and peace is your local coffee shop. Set yourself up at one of the tables and you and your partner can get rockin'.<\/p>\n

7. Play the “If I had a million extra dollars” game<\/span><\/h3>\n

By asking yourself what you would do with an abundance of money, you're uncovering your true dreams. If your answer is “I would have a lot more free time to relax and not go to work every day”, then you sound like a great candidate for early retirement<\/a>. You've got your reason to budget now!<\/p>\n

If you'd want\u00a0start your own business with the $1,000,000, you've just learned that entrepreneurship<\/a> is a huge priority for you. Yes, you'll still have to figure out how to get that $1,000,000 (of course), but now you've put some clarity on your dreams.<\/p>\n

8. Use a Budgeting Tool<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you're armed with drive and motivation, you'll be a good budgeter. If you're also equipped with an online budgeting system, you'll be a great<\/strong> budgeter. And it'll be more fun.<\/p>\n

Mint<\/a> has been my steady eddy budgeting tool for the past 5 years. It is FREE, intuitive and it provides extreme clarity to your finances.<\/p>\n

Tiller<\/a> is a new spreadsheet-based money management tool. If you like getting your hands in data and having more control, they could be a good partner for you.<\/p>\n