My partner and I can't agree on our 'fun money' budget after our first month tracking

Last month we started using a cash envelope system for our spending in Phoenix. I put $200 in the 'fun' envelope for things like coffee and movies, but it was gone by the 20th. He thinks we should cut it to $100 and save the rest, but I feel that's too strict and we'll just give up. How do you split your fun money without feeling broke or blowing the budget?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese_rodriguez8625d ago

Our first month in Phoenix blew through the fun money too.

amy_craig2825d ago

Feel your pain, that first month is always the hardest. Cutting it in half right away seems way too harsh and will just make you both miserable. Maybe try a middle ground first, like $150, and see if that feels better next month. My partner and I had to do the same thing, we started too high and then adjusted down slowly until it felt right without feeling broke. The key is finding an amount that lets you breathe but doesn't wreck the plan.

drew_jones3125d ago

Oh man, the first month is always a reality check, isn't it? My wife and I tried the envelope thing and our "fun" cash vanished in like ten days, mostly on my dumb snack runs. We looked at each other like, "Did we really eat that much gas station pizza?" Cutting it in half right away sounds like a fast track to hating the whole plan. Maybe meet in the middle at $150 and see if you can make it work with some cheaper dates, like a coffee to go and a walk instead of a movie.