One of the frequent conversations in marriage is money. Both spouses come into a marriage with their own saving and spending habits. For the two of us, we began marriage with Jesse’s first job and added the income of my first job. We felt rich!
Then we bought a house…we love our house, but it was the first hurdle in our financial decision-making. We tightened our budget and continued on.
Then I began graduate school…when we took on paying for my Master’s degree, Jesse and I decided to move to an envelope system. At the beginning of each month, we take enough cash out of the bank to pay for our daily expenses. This system helps us better track our spending in different areas and truly stick to a budget.
Then we started thinking about a family. We have always valued saving for the future, but this year our goal is to live as much as possible off of one income in order to save the other income. This conversation involves sacrifice and saving money in small ways: energy efficiency, the most effective insurance plan, and cutting back in ALL areas even the fun ones!
Then whatever comes our way, Jesse and I are able to have the important conversations about how we save and spend money.
Proverbs 24:3-4 “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”
Alaina and I just went to a first-time homebuyers informational class, and the financial advisor suggested using the envelope system! Still seems to be the best way after how many years?
Budgeting is one of my least favorite things to do, right after getting shots at the doctor and shoveling the driveway. The fact that it is so needed and helpful makes it all the worse. *Sigh