Find Out Why Budgets Are Very Sexy? ft. J. Money

In today’s episode, the crew chats with J. Money (Budgets are Sexy). The Financial Griot team came back from FinCon 2022 more energized than ever. The hype is real!  

Here to grace us with his presence, we have the Godfather of budget blogging. J. Money is a successful blogger and entrepreneur; one of the pioneers of financial transparency in the digital space. We discuss his journey from starting his Budgets are Sexy blog to owning back his time by retiring. He shares some poignant thoughts on the value of financial happiness. Or even how we mix the two on the path of personal wellness.

Pay close attention to how Alainta is fangirl-ing. *Simmer down, smh. We are a professional podcast now. It’s like we are in Season 2. We have more guests!

Your Financial Plan Grows or Perishes off of the Strengths and Weakness in Your Budget

According to Consumer.gov, “a budget is a plan you write down to decide how you will spend your money each month.” A great plan helps you ensure that you have enough money every month. Nearly 3 out of 4 Americans say they don’t regularly follow a budget.

It’s no wonder why nearly 60% of Americans can’t cover at least $1,000 in emergency expenses. On any given month, the median bank checking and savings accounts hover around $5,000.

According to data from the Federal Reserve’s Board Survey of Consumer Finances, Millennials hold about $3,240 in their accounts.

No matter how many research papers, surveys, and anxiety-filled freelances writers write about, it’s clear that Americans aren’t listening. This is why J.Money’s inspiration is needed. We have to evolve from the numeric understanding of Budgets as a source of restrictions. If you embark on this mission properly, you will find discipline, perspective, joy, and even a bit of sexiness.

Here’s how to make a quick budget today:

• Calculate your net income. This is the simple part, find your after-tax income.
• Track your spending. This is also known as your burn rate. Note the fixed expenses like housing, utilities, food, and transportation. The rest is all Variable and Discretionary expenses.
• Set S.M.A.R.T.+E.R. goals that align with you. If you are a dancer, there is no way I can force you not to get a new pair of dancing shoes. The same goes for runners. Our budgets are as different as we are. make sure you are in alignment with your trajectory.
• Make a financial plan. It doesn’t have to be complex. You simply have to write it down.
• Adjust your spending to stay on budget. Things change constantly. Lean in and change with them. You shouldn’t be rigid in your thinking, bend and catch the flow.
• Review your budget regularly. You have to measure the change.

About our Guest for today’s episode

Beyond blogging, J.Money is a lifestyle design minimalist who loves to skateboard. With joyful energy, for over 14 years, he has been sharing his journey and fostering a community of Financial FREEDOM.

Now in his early 40s and “early retired,” he gets to do what he wants from sunrise to sunset. The biggest takeaways?

Once you get to the top, you can keep going. Through the process, he has seen trials and tribulations. Somewhere along the way, he learns to embrace the good with the bad. On top of that, he embraces others.

Why?

Turns out that money doesn’t buy you happiness. You get to create that on your own every day!

In the end, if money is a function of time, you learn to budget your own time on this earth. How will you spend that capital?

Connect with J. Money – j@jmoney.biz

Notable Budget Features that You should read:

• Forbes: How Blogger J. Money Socked Away $400,000 In 7 Years
• Kiplinger: 10 Personal Finance Blogs Worth Reading
• Business Insider: My Net Worth Is Nearing $1 Million — ‘Stealth Wealth’ is The Key
• My Worst Investment Ever: J. Money – Break Free From the Crowd to Make Better Financial Decisions
• Marriage Kids and Money: Track Your Net Worth and Become a Young Millionaire – with J. Money

It was an absolute joy to chat with him. We hope to start to track and follow his energy.

Find the TFG Crew Hosts on Instagram. We aren’t that popular so click and follow.

• Alainta Alcin – Blogger, Travel and Money Enthusiast @alainta_alcin
• Lovely Merdelus – Entrepreneur and Small Business Growth Specialist @lovelymerdelus
• Lawrence Delva-Gonzalez – Federal Auditor, Blogger, and Tax Specialist @theneighborhoodfinanceguy

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