There's a new technique being used today called "Loud Budgeting" that allows you to take a proactive and transparent approach to money management. It encourages people to engage in money conversations about spending, saving, investing, and more. Loud budgeting can help reduce social pressures to overspend and normalize saying no to spending money on activities that don't support your financial goals
If you're interested in practicing loud budgeting, the first step is to be open with yourself about your budget (realistically what you can and cannot afford) and goals. The second step is taking accountability for your choices. Then create a plan that prioritizes your goals and stick to them, rather than following the crowd and how they spend. Loud budgeting helps create financial boundaries making it OK to say no to the things that don't align with your financial goals.
Enhanced Accountability and Motivation – When you vocalize your budgeting goals with others, you're more likely to stick to responsible money choices. Knowing your friends are aware of your goals and support you provides an extra layer of motivation for remaining committed to your budget.
Better Financial Transparency – When family and friends are part of your budget conscious circle, it creates an open and supportive environment. This invites others to share budgeting tips, experiences, and solutions to challenges.
Firm Control of Finances – Designating money for expenses and savings gives you a better understanding as to what you can truly afford without worry. Setting aside money allows you to enjoy social activities with friends without stressing, because it's already part of your budget.
Increased Financial Knowledge and Responsibility – Practicing loud budgeting helps you learn more about yourself and how you manage your finances. Engaging via social media is a fun way to share budgeting techniques, tricks, and success stories. It keeps you inspired with new knowledge to make the best possible financial decisions.
Oversharing – While the purpose of loud budgeting is to have honest conversations about money choices, be careful not to delve too deep and overshare. Remember, people have different financial priorities and opinions; it's best to be candid about the basics but most importantly, hold yourself accountable.
Negativity – Loud budgeting can sometimes be taken in a negative light when someone hears you don't want to spend money on their venture. Peer pressure to spend money can be tough, but stand firm and be kind.
Potential Privacy Concerns – Loud budgeting is about sharing while also protecting your privacy. It's crucial not to reveal too much personal information via social media. To avoid scams, take the typical precautions like strong user names and passwords, and don’t share sensitive details like birthday, Social Security, full name, birth city, mother’s maiden name, or banking or credit card information.
Loud budgeting can be implemented with the following tips:
Share Your Financial Goals – Since loud budgeting encourages open communication and transparency about your personal financial choices, make a plan to share your goals with others. The point is to be clear about your budget limitations when you decline a social event, to spotlight your choice to make a financially responsible decision, and to set financial boundaries to manage your budget effectively and transparently.
Find a Group of Accountability Partners – The key to being transparent and voicing your budget choices is to find people who also want to experience the loud budgeting process with similar financial goals. Accountability partners can include friends, family, and online communities created especially for loud budgeting. Maintain regular conversations and interactions about finances and spending choices with your accountability partners for a supportive environment that will help you all achieve your goals.
Utilize Visual Reminders – Visual reminders can prompt you to question every purchase. Try putting a sticker on your credit card that deters you from spending and encourages you to save. When you have to qualify every purchase, it helps you make better money choices. Or, create a vision board with illustrations of what you're working towards achieving. This will help you stay inspired, motivated, and eager to for a richer financial life.
Loud budgeting occurs when the social pressure to spend money on things gets to be too much. Since loud budgeting gives people permission to say no to things that aren't their financial priority in a socially acceptable way, loud budgeting is something everyone can use. From young families and newlyweds to college students, and even retirees, everyone can benefit from saying no to the expensive or overpriced ventures that don't align with their financial aspirations.
Creating and sticking to a budget is one of the most important things you can do to achieve your financial goals. Consolidated Community Credit Union offers a variety of budgeting tools and educational resources to help members.
CCCU Budget Calculator – Allows you see the impact spending has on your income.
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Having open communication while giving yourself permission to say no via loud budgeting is a financial strategy that can help achieve your future goals. It reiterates accountability, helps you better understand your relationship with money and strengthens your responsibility to prioritize your finances.
Get inspired and empowered by using CCCU's budgeting resources and contacting a member of CCCU's team for personalized assistance that can help you develop financial goals and a spending plan.
For a comprehensive guide to start on your path check out our "Budgeting Tips and Tricks: Quick Solutions to Start Saving Today" guide.
