Stop Budgeting, Start Aligning: How to Spend on What Actually Matters
In my last post, I talked about how a bigger paycheck doesn't automatically lead to financial peace. If the foundation is shaky, more money just adds more weight.
So, how do we start building that stable foundation?
Most people think the answer is a strict, restrictive budget. They imagine a life of "no", cutting out every latte and skipping every dinner out. But as a coach (and in my own life), I’ve seen that restriction usually leads to a "rebound" spend later.
The real secret isn’t less spending—it’s aligned spending.
The ‘Shoulds’ vs. The ‘Wants’
We are constantly bombarded with messages about how we should spend our money. We should have the newest tech, the upgraded kitchen, or the same vacation everyone else is posting about.
When we spend based on "shoulds," we end up with a house full of stuff and an empty feeling in our gut (and our bank account).
Values-based spending is the opposite. It’s about being ruthlessly stingy with the things that don't matter to you, so you can be extravagantly generous with the things that do.
The "Joy Audit"
I want to challenge you to look at your bank statement from the last 30 days. Don’t look at it with judgment; look at it with curiosity.
Pick out three moderate-to-large purchases and ask yourself:
Did this purchase move me closer to the person I want to be?
Did the joy of this purchase last longer than the walk to the trash can with the packaging?
If I hadn't bought this, what else could that money have "bought" me? (Peace of mind? A future trip? A day off?)
Coaching Tip: Define Your Top Three
You can’t value everything at once. One of my personal mottos is, “If everything is a priority, nothing is.”
What are your top three "Life Values" right now? Are they Freedom? Health? Creativity?
Once you know your values, your bank statement becomes a mirror. If you value Health but your highest spending category is late-night takeout that makes you feel sluggish, there’s a misalignment.
The goal isn’t to stop spending - it’s to make sure the money you ARE spending is actually buying the life you want to live.
A Question for You:
If you had to pick one thing you spend money on that truly brings you 10/10 joy, what is it? And what is one thing you spend on that feels like a 0/10 when you really think about it?
Let’s chat in the comments!
(Just a quick reminder to not put anything too personal in the comments)
— Jennifer