.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your budget?
Whether it's perhaps too restrictive or not restrictive enough, it's easy to feel disheartened after one too many setbacks when it comes to managing your money. And with so much advice out there on what you should and shouldn't do, it's no wonder we experience burnout when it comes to managing our finances from time to time.
In this week's blog, we've created a guide on some tips you can use to avoid budget burnout - along with steps you can take to pull yourself out of the fog when you just can't see the light.
Let Go of Perfection
A big part of coming to terms with your budget and making the necessary changes needed to improve your financial situation involves you being realistic.
Take a look at your last bank statement/transactions and be honest with yourself about what's been going wrong, where you've been slipping up, and what it is about your current budget that just isn't working out for you.
Remind yourself that it's okay to budget for fun and leisure, and allocate a 'Fun Fund' in your next budget if being restrictive has backfired. Most importantly, let go of perfection and don't beat yourself up for making mistakes along the way. This is how we learn!
You can also use the ImageNPay app to give yourself a 'fun budget' and track your spending along the way - click here to find out more.
Change it Up
If one budgeting method isn't working out for you, don't give up! You may just need to switch up your budget system.
There are plenty of different methods and approaches to budgeting out there, as well as methods for paying back debt if that's a big source of your money stress. You may also need to adjust your mindset - a positive money mindset is key to making lasting change, and your current mindset could be contributing to your bad money habits.
Keep trying until you find a budgeting method that fits - above all else, it should be personal to you and your circumstances. Check out our blog post for 3 Useful Budgeting Methods you can try.
Reach Out to Others
If you're feeling burnout, chances are you're also feeling isolated (or have isolated yourself as a result of the way you're feeling).
Although it can feel daunting - especially when money is the topic of discussion - reaching out to friends and/or family for a much-needed pep talk can instantly boost your spirits and remind us that we're not alone in our struggles.
Better yet, find yourself an accountability buddy to keep you motivated. This can be a friend, family member, or perhaps even somebody from online. There are tons of financial communities out there that you can join, whether it be on Reddit, Instagram, or Clever Girl Finance.
Having a support system in place will not only help you stay on track with your goals, but you may also learn a thing or two from people who were once in your position.
Figure Out Your "Why"
Our final step in this guide to both avoiding and managing Budget Burnout is to figure out your "why".
What do we mean by this? Essentially, we must remind ourselves of why we've committed to making a change in our lives in the first place.
Why have you decided to get your finances into shape? What's your long term goal? Was there a particular situation or lightbulb moment that encouraged you to take control of your money and change your habits for the better?
Whatever it is, remind yourself of your "why" frequently - especially when you're experiencing burnout. Try using a vision board, repeat affirmations, or add check-ins to your calendar to inspire yourself.
For many of us, financial freedom is the ultimate goal when it comes to the reason why we're wanting to improve our money habits.
With the ImageNPay app, you can take extra steps to avoid budget burnout - with your very own prepaid virtual card, you can allocate funds to your wallet without the worry or risk of overspending.
Click here to find out more about how ImageNPay helps with budgeting, and click the button below to download FREE on iOS and Android.
Post inspired by @whatthefinancial
Comments