Why Budgeting Does NOT Work!

Budgeting Doesn't Work

Credit: The Bub Hub

Before you rip my head off, trust me I've been there I've put money into small envelopes and counted and accounted for each and every dime. And no I wasn't born with a silver spoon either, as a matter of fact I was probably born with a half broken plastic spork in my mouth instead of a pacifier. Okay, back to the subject before I start ranting my autobiography about my origins.

1. Budgeting is a crutch and destroys ambition, the thing is you sit own weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, like myself, and stare at this sheet of paper to determine what you can and can't buy this week. Over time you've developed a habitual practice to look at this sheet of paper that you've created and let it determine your financial destiny. Before you've even made a purchase of any kind your mind automatically thinks back to that sheet of paper and say "nope" I can't afford or buy it.

Don't get me wrong this mindset is great for saving money and being frugal, but it also makes the mind lazy. It just stops there instead of stretching itself and thinking "how can I afford that". Maybe I should get a second job? Further educate myself? Develop a secondary income stream? Take out a loan? Ask family friends? Work harder?

2. If your core purchasing principals are still bad then budgeting will get you no where. If you budget to buy hedonistic items like another purse or a bigger T.V a newer car. Then what is the point of budgeting when you always go back to 0? People use budgeting as an illusion that they're financially responsible. Instead use your savings to purchase assets or items that give you money back and internalize the habit of being frugal and minimalistic. 

But, but, but, I don't have enough money to buy a house or start a business! Stop torturing me you don't understand my situation X. Well the fact that you're reading this article means you're headed in the right path. Look around you almost everything can be turned into financial opportunities. 

Should my Children be Minimalists too?

Photo Credit JapanToday

Many of us have children, in fact for me at least one of the reasons I become a minimalist was because of my children and lack of space to put all the stuff. So should my children be forced into minimalist lifestyle?

Let's say Christmas time comes rolling about and your lovely parents and inlaws are over to visit. For those fortunate enough that is 4 grandparents and if you have a bigger family then oh boy we know what that means. Any who you have specifically requested everyone not to gift you, however does this right extend over to your children? Do you as a parent have the ability to reject your child's presents? Happiness of owning stuff brings them short-term joy? 

On one hand it can be treated like a drug, if a drug brings your child instant happiness and melts the world away but it's terrible for their health. Then a parent is obligated to use almost any means necessary to help their children by either taking away the drugs or by blocking the means of obtaining it.

However, in this situation you would need to treat consumerism like a disease. Is consumerism a disease? A psychological problem that we have all developed but since it benefits the "society" it goes unnoticed? Or about forcing an ideal that the parents or parent much like a religion? We will discuss this later down the road.

Assuming that consumerist attitudes towards owning stuff is not harmful long-term then the parent will be in the position of being a jerk and denying the child of short-term happiness. And in the process violate a core idea of minimalism "the pursuit of happiness" for the child and bring an unpleasant experience for all other people in the room.

What do you guys think?