We all know the importance of setting up a budget and sticking with it. We set aside a certain amount for food, clothing, shelter, etc. and we do our best not to go over those limits. There are times, though, when we need to allow ourselves to spend certain amounts of money in some areas, and less in others.
Take, for instance, at the grocery store. My kids don’t care what brand of cold cereal I get, so I get the store brand. I do the same with milk, cheese, etc. But I have one little boy who has allergies, and so when it comes to purchasing food for him, I need to budget a little more so I can get him clean meats, cheese with no annatto, and as much organic produce as I can. In this area, I will spend more than I ordinarily would, because it helps my son stay healthy.
When it comes to household cleaners, I’ve found that the cheaper laundry soap works just as well as the more expensive kind, so I save by going that direction, but I will not buy the cheap dish soap. I’ve found that one particular brand of soap is the only one that makes me feel like my dishes are really clean, and so yes, I’ll pay a little more for it.
I have never spent a lot for skin care or hair care products, but in the last year, I’ve developed an oil condition that leads to deposits building up in the skin, and my dermatologist had to laser them off. You can bet I’m now paying just a little more for skin care, and after having three inches chopped off my hair because of damage, I’m paying more attention to conditioners. I still shop at the thrift store for my children’s play clothes and my own wear-around-the-house clothes, though.
Sticking with your budget is great. Let’s keep in mind, though, that the budget should be personalized to the family it’s created for. If I need to cut back in the cold cereal department so I can afford to buy organic produce, that’s what I’ll do. It’s a balance, and we’re the only ones who can determine what our needs really are.
Related Blogs:
The Importance of an Annual Budget
Can Cost of Living Affect Your Budget?