Why Most Budgets Fail

A colleague of mine recently asked me how he might be able to finally stick to a budget. For years, he had tried to create and adhere to a specific annual spending plan, only to blow a hole through it at some point during the year. “What’s wrong with me? I know that I should do it, but there’s always something that comes up!”

Let me be the first to admit that I am not a fan of budgets. In the same way that I think most crash diets lead to failure, the majority of budgets or New Year’s Resolutions fall by the wayside within months, as life interrupts our best-laid intentions. Part of the reason is that we sometimes make the whole process more onerous than necessary.

Budgeting should not be an end, but the means by which we can accomplish our financial goals. Of course that means you need to start by establishing those goals. If you can’t come up with your own, try these (in order):

1. Pay down consumer (credit card balances or auto loans) and student debt.

2. Establish an emergency reserve fund of six to 12 months of living expenses.

Change requires new thinking... remind yourself why you are doing what you're doing.

3. Maximize retirement savings (the 2021 limit for 401(k)s, 403(b)s and 457 plans is $19,500 or $26,000 if you are over age 50; the limit for Traditional or Roth IRAs is $6,000, $7,000 for those over age 50. If you are self-employed, the limits are higher.)

4. Fund a 529 education-savings account (now expanded to include private or parochial school for up to $10,000 in tuition and other expenses)

5. Establish a general investment account to fund anything from a second home to an accelerated path to retirement

You will notice that goal number two specifically requires an important piece of information: knowing how much you spend each month. This is where the dreaded budget enters the conversation. But the process of making a budget and sticking to it is easier than you think.

Instead of making yourself crazy populating a bunch of categories on a spreadsheet, start with what you are currently spending. With the advent of easy-to-use technology, this once-horrible and time-consuming activity is a snap. Apps such as Mint, You Need a Budget, Level Money or even your bank’s own technology can help you with the process. Keep track for 90 days—that’s it, just three months to pour the financial foundation necessary to construct our dreams.

Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins and if you fall off the wagon, refocus your efforts, be mindful, and get back on track. 

Once you know how much you spend on a monthly basis for ongoing needs, you will have to add some of the one-time expenses that arise throughout the year, including vacations; money for kids’ extracurricular activities or camps; or the annual “homeowner’s surprise,” such as the unanticipated appliance meltdown.

Congratulations—you have completed most of the hard work! The next step is to review where the money is going and determine how much you can redirect towards saving and investing to fund the goals.

Again, technology will be your friend. Use it to create automatic drafts to avoid late payments and accelerate the pay down of loans; to establish similar drafts with your bank or brokerage firm to beef up your emergency reserve fund; and to slowly increase your contribution levels to your retirement plan with auto-escalation features available at many financial institutions.

Psychologists note that change requires new thinking. Instead of hyper-focusing on the budget itself, remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing—these goals are YOUR goals, what you are trying to accomplish. Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins and if you fall off the wagon, refocus your efforts, be mindful, and get back on track.

A CFP® professional can help you see ways to save and invest more, and help you create a holistic plan that will allow you to move ahead toward your financial goals.