There are many budget mistakes you can make. For me, these are the three biggies:
- Don't bother to make a budget. You have put money aside, you may or may not be sure exactly how much. There are a bunch of things you want, and so off you go planning the wedding of your dreams. Then halfway there you find out that not planning means that your cash only extends to half a wedding. Avoid this: Make a budget.
- Overspend your budget. You set a budget and you checked out the magazines and books to get all the recommended percentages and then you pay no attention to any of it. You spend a little over here, a lot over there, and you get halfway through and oopsie, money's gone and you don't have a celebrant or a dress. Avoid this: by sticking to your budget and rearranging it when you save in one column or overspend in another.
- Don't base it on your values or your lifestyle. It's way too easy to be seduced with what's fashionable in weddings. Celebrities have certain songs or ritual moments and everyone wants to emulate them. You wind up spending money on things that have nothing to do with who you are and what you believe in. Avoid this: Base your budget on what is important to you. (Your wedding will be beautiful because it will reflect who you are, how you love one another and what you believe!)
In the next week, Wedding Priestess is going to interview Dr. Taffy Wagner of The Debt Stops at the Altar who helps married and about-to-be married folk deal with their money. How you handle the wedding budget will be a great signpost for how you might manage your regular budget. What don't have a regular budget? We'll see what Dr. Taffy has to say about that!
Managing your money is just one more way to move from "I do" to happily and healthily ever after.
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