That’s Not in the Budget: And That’s Okay! 

My wife and I have been living debt-free for almost 19 years, but we still say something that might surprise you:

“That’s not in the budget.”

Recently, we considered taking a trip over Thanksgiving. Then we looked at airline prices and agreed they were too high.

We could have made the trip happen, but we would have had to take money away from something else we had already planned.

We allocate a specific amount for travel each year. Squeezing in an unplanned trip would have disrupted our budget and financial goals.

So, we passed.

Here’s the lesson:

Financial success isn’t about being able to afford everything you want. It’s about making intentional decisions with the money you have.

A budget doesn’t just tell you what you can spend. It helps you decide what matters most.

And sometimes, winning with money means saying no to something you can afford so you can stay committed to something that matters more.

If you don’t like the feeling you get when you have to admit something isn’t in your budget, don’t worry.

You’re not failing at money. You’re just being an adult. 😂

To your financial fitness!

Remember when you were learning to tie your shoes? You kept trying until you got it right. You practiced, made mistakes, and tried again until you figured it out.

What could happen if you put that same persistence into learning how to make your money behave?

Imagine the possibilities:

• Building an emergency fund so unexpected expenses don't become financial emergencies.

• Eliminating credit card debt by developing a plan and sticking with it.

• Saving more money by consistently setting something aside.

• Increasing your retirement contributions to prepare for the future.

• Building wealth through intentional spending and consistent investing.

• Taking longer vacations without sabotaging your financial goals.

• Leaving a larger inheritance for your children and future generations.

You didn't learn to tie your shoes in one attempt. Improving your finances takes practice, patience, and persistence, too. Mistakes will happen, but they don't have to stop your progress.

You didn't quit learning to tie your shoes. Why quit learning to make your money behave?

Replacing One Window Ain't Cheap!

Lesia and I need to replace a window in our house because it has a broken seal. The first quote I received was $6,200. 😳

The company that came out showed me a video demonstrating how their windows could survive being frozen in a block of ice, placed behind a jet engine, and attacked with a weed eater.

I'm glad I don't have a freezer that big, own a jet, or mow my lawn that close to the house. 😂

For $6,200, that window better be self-cleaning, give me the weather forecast, and let me know when Amazon is at the front door!

Needless to say, I'm getting another quote. LOL!

The good news is that we have an emergency fund to help cover unexpected home repairs like this. The replacement will cost approximately $2,577, which is a far cry from the original quote!

Here's a reminder: Unexpected expenses aren't always emergencies if you've prepared for them financially. Having money set aside for life's unplanned expenses can make an otherwise stressful situation a little easier to manage.

If an unexpected $2,500 home repair showed up at your doorstep tomorrow, would you have the money available to handle it without relying on credit cards or borrowing?

What's Impacting How You Live?

Let's talk about three things that impact your financial fitness!

📈 SOL = Standard of Living

🛒 COL = Cost of Living

💵 WOL = Wage of Living

Here's the math:

COL > WOL = Your expenses are outpacing your wages.

COL = WOL = You're paying the bills, but are you building wealth?

WOL > COL = You have an opportunity to save more, eliminate debt, and invest in your future.

And here's the kicker: getting a raise doesn't automatically mean you're getting ahead. If your expenses and debt payments eat up the increase, your financial situation may not improve much at all.

A recent report from The Century Foundation found that 52 cents of every dollar in real take-home income gains went toward increased debt payments for a typical single-earner household in its analysis. Read the report: https://tcf.org/content/report/half-of-every-dollar-how-household-debt-eats-into-workers-income-gains/

The goal isn't just to earn more. It's to make your money behave!

So, how does your WOL compare to your COL? 👀

A Pleasant Surprise:

Meeting the First Riddick Scholarship Recipient

While attending the President's Society Luncheon at Tennessee State University last month, Lesia and I were pleasantly surprised and delighted to meet the first recipient of our Riddick Engineering Scholarship Endowment: Julie Tungamirai.

It was especially meaningful to meet someone whose educational journey is connected to a legacy we established at Lesia's alma mater.

🎁 Looking to get an early start on your Black Friday shopping? Game On makes a great gift, too! Give someone you care about an opportunity to improve their financial fitness. After all, financial wellness is a gift that keeps on giving!

On November 2, I'll celebrate my 52nd birthday!

Rather than asking for birthday gifts, I'd like to give 52 people an opportunity to invest in their financial fitness.

For a limited time, I'm offering Game On - A Financial Fitness Experience for just $52!

That's right! You'll save $98 off the regular $150 price.

Game On is an online, self-paced financial fitness experience designed to help you:

🏆 Develop a healthier relationship with money.

🏆 Understand how your mindset and behaviors influence your financial decisions.

🏆 Create a system for saving more and reducing debt.

🏆 Improve cash flow and organize your finances.

🏆 Develop a game plan for achieving your financial goals.

You'll also receive more than three hours of on-demand instruction, a supplemental eBook, exclusive resources, and access to our financial fitness tools.

Here's how to take advantage of this birthday special:

1. Visit https://gametimebudgeting.thinkific.com/courses/game-on-a-financial-fitness-experience
2. Enroll in Game On.
3. Enter coupon code BIRTHDAY52 at checkout.
4. Pay just $52!

Only 52 discounts are available, and the promotion ends November 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET or when all 52 discounts have been claimed, whichever comes first.

I'm grateful for another year of life, and what better way to celebrate than helping others improve their financial fitness?

Let's make your money behave!

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