294 | Balancing Needs vs. Wants: A Guide to Smarter Spending

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Hey, budget besties! In today's episode, Shana and Vanessa are diving deep into the questions and concerns you've been sharing with us about spending. Whether it's struggling with compulsive spending, balancing needs versus wants, or just feeling like you’re living paycheck to paycheck, we've got you covered. We're breaking down actionable tips to help you gain control over your finances, set up a foolproof budget system, and make sure your hard-earned money is working for you—not the other way around.

In This Episode, We’ll Discuss:

1. The Needs vs. Wants Dilemma: How to budget without sacrificing the fun stuff.
2. Compulsive Spending: Why it happens and how to stop it in its tracks.
3. The Power of Separate Accounts: How to simplify your finances and ensure your bills, savings, and spending are all taken care of.
4. Budgeting When Income Changes: Tips for adjusting your budget when your income shifts.
5. Adding Friction to Online Spending: Practical steps to curb those late-night Amazon binges.
6. Finding Peace with Your Finances: How to move from feeling paycheck to paycheck to feeling in control.

Key Takeaways:

• Budgeting isn’t about cutting out all the things you love; it’s about creating a plan that lets you enjoy life while still hitting your financial goals.
• If you're struggling with compulsive spending, adding some friction—like removing saved payment methods or using gift cards—can help curb the habit.
• Separate your accounts into categories like bills, savings, and spending to ensure you’re always on top of where your money is going.
• Being more intentional with your money means setting specific goals and letting your budget guide you to them, whether that's paying off debt or saving for a big purchase.

Join the Conversation: If this episode hit home for you, we'd love to hear about it! Join our Facebook group where we dive deeper into these topics and support each other on this financial journey. And hey, if you found this episode helpful, think of one friend who could use this advice and share it with them. We’d love to welcome them into the Budget Bestie family!

4 Ways To Connect With Us:

1️⃣ FREE CALL: Book your FREE 20-Minute Financial Coaching Call now! Get personalized advice and start your financial journey ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/freecall 

2️⃣ FACEBOOK: Become part of our Supportive Facebook Group. Connect, share, and learn with others mastering their budget skills ➡︎ https://www.budgetbesties.com/facebook 

3️⃣ BUDGET: Grab our Signature Budget Template! It's your key to organizing and optimizing your finances effectively ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/budget 

4️⃣ COACHING: Ready to dive deep into your finances? Sign up for 1-on-1 or Group Financial Coaching. It’s the accountability and guidance you need to make real progress ➡︎ https://budgetbesties.com/coaching 

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