Money Morning Routine | Weekend Spending Update

The speaker discusses their typical 'money morning routine' and observes a relatively quiet weekend with minimal spending. They also focus on upcoming budget closing, Thanksgiving meal planning, and the importance of intentional spending versus reactive spending decisions, advocating for pre-planning shopping lists and using online price checks to avoid impulsive purchases.

Weekend Spending

• 00:00:14 The speaker experienced a relatively quiet weekend with minimal spending, primarily due to hosting a potluck and spending Sunday on household chores. They did, however, have a life insurance payment automatically debited from their checking account. This quiet weekend underscores their goal of intentional spending, where money is managed proactively.

Budget Closing

• 00:01:20 The speaker plans to close their November budget by the end of the month, possibly on the 29th or earlier, ideally before December begins. They prefer to close out the budget within the month it covers rather than extending it into the new month. The speaker has their budget categories prepped and ready, only needing to add the actual spending to finalize the budget.

Thanksgiving Meal Planning

• 00:02:51 The speaker completed their Thanksgiving meal plan and shopping list. They highlight that this planning allows them to assess needs versus wants and stay within their budget, especially if operating with a strict budget. They suggest pre-checking prices online to gain a clearer picture of grocery costs before heading to the store.

Intentional vs. Reactive Spending

• 00:04:32 The speaker emphasizes the importance of shifting from reactive to intentional spending. They believe that having a well-planned budget and shopping list helps avoid impulse purchases and ensures better control over finances. They suggest pre-planning and evaluating needs versus wants to make conscious spending decisions.