Ok, I hate the word “budget.” Not because it means you have a set amount of money for something, but because it sounds like frugality, whether forced or otherwise, but in reality people who should never use the word “budget” use it freely all the time and leave me scratching my head. For instance, the people on one of those home search programs on that garden channel whose “budget” is $350K for a beach house. Or their remodeling “budget” is $20K for their kitchen. Really? That’s a BUDGET?
So although I do have a “budget” I’d rather call it a spending plan. It’s what I plan to do with my money. No matter how much or how little I have. And I definitely do not have $20K to remodel my kitchen. However, I might set aside $30 for a gallon of paint to finally paint the wall that has never been painted.
I know that part of minimalism and simple living is paying attention to what we are spending our resources on and in doing so most people will find that they can live quite well on a lot less than they thought. When someone is able to live on $27K per year and still have free time, I am seriously impressed and I take note. But when someone who makes multiples of that amount becomes a minimalist and tells someone else who only makes $27K that if they too become a minimalist then they will be able to spend more for quality on less things, it just doesn’t jive well with me. Mainly because not everyone who buys less will want to spend that much or will be able to spend that much. Some people become minimalists because they realize they are dead broke. So someone else’s “budget” for clothing that is $500 for the year might seem like a complete luxury and for some other minimalist, that might buy them a watch.
I want to make the language fit us all so we aren’t demeaning those who really need a “budget” (who would include me). If I could also slap Gwyneth Paltrow into reality while doing it that would be great. Did you read this? Who buys that many limes in a week? Was she making meatless tacos and margaritas? But I digress…
Lets get rid of the word “budget” shall we? Maybe we can empower ourselves to always just say, “it’s ridiculous to pay that much!” or “it’s foolish to pay full price!” or how about “I am saving for something much better.” Ya know, like so I can retire someday. And if you are a famous person with a bottomless pit of funds, please don’t try to live on food stamps. You are going to fail miserably and just make yourself look kinda stupid.
There I said my peace. Go make a plan for your money now.
Liz
Nice Liz. I like this part: ” So someone else’s “budget” for clothing that is $500 for the year might seem like a complete luxury and for some other minimalist, that might buy them a watch”. I wrote something about that (not in detail). I will, if I had that amount, buy three things that really need and make me happy and give away three things of the same type: a pair of boots $150, a bag $200 and a dress shirt $150). But since I can live two months with $500 (food and shelter) that WILL be a luxury for me. You made my mind work and think about it, thanks.
Comment Liz
I like this part: “So someone else’s “budget” for clothing that is $500 for the year might seem like a complete luxury and for some other minimalist, that might buy them a watch”. I wrote something about that. I will, if I had that amount, buy three things that really need and make me happy and give away three things of the same type: a pair of boots $150, a bag $200 and a dress shirt $150. But since I can live two months with $500 (food and shelter) that WILL be a luxury for me. You made my mind work and think about it, thanks.