3 Priorities I Choose to Spend Money On
When it comes to budgeting, everyone has different priorities. What might seem like a luxury to one person is a necessity to another. Here are three things I choose to spend money on. These might be considered indulgences by some, but they hold significant value in my life.
Grocery Delivery: This is a recent addition to my budget. Initially, I was against the idea because of the extra fees, tips, and the upcharge on item prices. I thought it wasn't worth the hour saved by skipping the trip to the store. However, a few days ago, I simply didn’t have the time to go to the store. I decided to give Instacart a try. To my surprise, I ended up cutting my grocery bill in half. Not only did I get a $10 coupon that covered most of the service fees, but by avoiding the in-store temptations, I only purchased the items I truly needed. Although tipping added a bit to the cost, the overall savings made it worthwhile. In this case, grocery delivery actually helped my budget.
Bar Trivia: This might not be the most budget-friendly activity, but it’s something my spouse and I prioritize. Every week, we join friends at a local bar for trivia night. Sometimes we just order drinks and fries, other times we splurge on a full meal. We know this is a weekly expense, so we set aside money specifically for it. Bar trivia offers us a chance to spend quality time with friends, disconnect from our phones for a couple of hours, and enjoy a kid-free evening. While we could technically just order water, that wouldn’t feel right, so we ensure we budget for both the meal and a tip for our servers.
Toddler Classes: With our toddler not yet in daycare, we’ve signed her up for various classes like music, CrossFit, and gymnastics. These classes provide her with socialization and a taste of a classroom environment. We’ve asked for these types of experiences as gifts for holidays and birthdays, as they offer more value than toys cluttering our living room. However, we also budget for these classes ourselves because they are important to us. They give our daughter enriching experiences and help prepare her for future social interactions. We know that once she starts daycare, we may not be able to continue these classes as frequently, but for now, they are a priority.
These spending choices reflect what’s important to me and my family. It’s a reminder that everyone’s budget is different and each is shaped by individual priorities. What might seem like an unnecessary expense to one person could be a priority to another. We all make sacrifices in certain areas to fund the things that matter most to us.
I challenge you to identify your own priorities. Whether they are simple pleasures or grand adventures, knowing what’s important to you will help you budget accordingly.
