20/2/2023

These last few days I have been thinking about how we should actually budget our time, as well as our money, to ensure that we always have extra time every day to deal with unforeseen emergencies or new priorities, that will inevitably arise and grab our attention.
In today’s busy world, it is easy to become overwhelmed with the need for time and money. But it is always important to remember that time is actually more valuable than money. “You can always make more money, but you can’t make more time” many people like to say.
That is why budgeting your time is just as important as budgeting your money. If we do not budget time, we also feel overwhelmed, but will then also feel rushed or behind schedule. Budgeting is also a key to reducing stress.
If you are like me, every monthly salary is immediately split into ‘pots’ called: ‘Mortgage’, ‘Shopping’, ‘Direct Debits’, etc. I also keep separate ‘pots’ for: ‘Personal Spending’, or other things, including things that I am saving for (always keep something back for yourself, as a reward).
But I also have two other ‘’pots’ called: ‘Things I Haven’t Budgeted For’, both for the month and for the year. This is not a new concept, or one that I claim any credit for, but is what many people do, instead calling it a ‘Rainy Day’ pot or fund.
If you apply this same concept to time then, just as you set aside money for unexpected expenses, to help prevent you going into debt, you should set aside a block of time each day for you to deal with any unexpected or unforeseen tasks or situations that arise.
Overall, budgeting for both time and money is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure balance in your life. Setting aside time and money for unexpected events helps prevents you from becoming overwhelmed. By budgeting ahead, you can also lead a balanced and stress-free life.
Also, try to set some time boundaries for yourself and others, just as you set financial boundaries. Careful planning ahead also helps to avoid ‘overspending’ and unexpected or nasty surprises. It also provides you with emotional comfort, just knowing that you have it there if you need it.
Finally, determine a budget for your day and spend your time carefully to make sure you do not go over your planned limit. Perhaps put a time-block in your diary at the end of every day for an hour and call it: ‘Time that I haven’t budgeted for!’
So, this week, try to ensure that your calendar remains balanced to help prevent you from becoming bogged down by sudden and unexpected events. But please remember that you will always face potential obstacles when attempting to budget both time and money!”




