T
alking about
money—especially
budgeting—isn’t
fun for most people. I get it. But when it comes to helping small businesses thrive, I love discussing budgets. Personal budgeting, though? Not my favorite pastime, unless I find a way to make it fun. My secret? Linking it to something I really want: a vacation.
I love to travel, and when I’m on a trip, I want to treat myself fully without worrying about a daily budget. To make that happen, I prepare ahead of time. I start by mapping out (both literally and figuratively) my dream trip. Where do I want to go? What’s on the itinerary? I research basic price ranges to get an idea of the costs. This planning process not only excites me about the trip but also motivates me to tackle budgeting.
Once I have a rough estimate of the trip’s cost, I double it. Why? Because I want to overprepare and ensure my vacation feels like a true indulgence. Now, I have a concrete savings goal.
But how do I save for this goal without making "current me" unhappy or uncomfortable? I turn saving into a game, because I love a good challenge—and winning.