Loud budgeting is one personal finance trend that would help you save money and become more responsible with your money. Taking social media platforms by storm, loud budgeting is the new personal finance trend pushing people to become more honest with their finances. In this article, we will learn what loud budgeting is and how it can help you.
What Is Loud Budgeting?
Loud budgeting is a financial strategy where you share your money aspirations directly and loudly with the people in your life. This strategy centers around the idea of telling others why you are choosing not to spend money on something and being transparent about the reason you are saving.
For example, you might say no to an expensive dinner or group trip with your friends by explaining to them that you are prioritizing paying off credit card debt or saving for a down payment on a house.
The term was coined by Lukas Battle, a comedian and writer, who describes it by saying, “It’s not, ‘I don’t have enough,’ it’s, ‘I don’t want to spend.”
The Answer To Quiet Luxury
Many are saying that the loud budgeting trend is the answer to a previous trend called ‘Quiet Luxury’.
Also known as stealth wealth, quiet luxury is the trend that revolves around understated, subtle displays of opulence. For example, in her daily courtroom appearances, Gwyneth Paltrow wore high-end brands like Celine and The Row along with $1,450 (over ₹1.2 lakhs) black Prada boots and carried a $325 (over ₹29,000) notebook by Smythson. The trend was further popularized by the HBO series “Succession”, featuring outfits that come with a price tag of $1,490 (over ₹1.2 lakhs).
In India, the characters of the OTT show Jubilee show quiet luxury as well. Movie studio owner Srikant Roy’s Windsor tie-knot and crisply tailored suits., actress Sumitra Kumari’s chiffon saris in pastel shades, and actor Madan Kumar’s white shirt teamed with mustard cravat and oversized glass, remind you of old money just by their sheer quality and design. Indian celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan with his monotone black suits and linen shirts and Tabu in hand-woven saris or monochromatic dresses also embody the world of quiet luxury.
The economy has been in turmoil for a while now. To make themselves feel better, people indulge in expensive trinkets here and there. These purchases are done to self-soothe and there’s nothing wrong with this. But the problem arises when we go overboard with our purchases and feel worse than before.
Even though there is nothing wrong with buying expensive items once in a while, it is important to not make this a habit and fall into debt. The other important point is that these trends appear and become obsolete within a few weeks. The only people, who benefitted from this trend, are luxury brands, like Hermes, Prada-owned Miu Miu, Brunello Cucinelli, Compagnie Financière Richemont, and Swatch Group, according to DBS, writes CNBC.
That’s why many perceive loud budgeting as a solution to this trend.
How To Loud Budget?
Know your budget & money goals – You can’t loud budget if you don’t have a budget. So, get started by tracking all your income and your expenses for the month. This can help you see where you spend your money and create goals for your future.
Be clear to your peers – Share your goals with your friends and family. If your friends are inviting you out for dinner, saying no outright might come off as rude. Instead, you can tell them how you are trying to rebuild an emergency fund or trying to pay off your education loan payments. When you are open about your goals, it can help you stay on track with your journey and sustain valuable relationships.
Offer alternatives – If you wish to hang out with your friends but need to stick to your budget, let them know how much you are willing to spend. See if there are other things you can do that cost less. For example, if you are planning to eat out, suggest other options like a cookout or a house party.
Don’t compare yourself – If your friends are hanging out and having fun, you may get FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). It’s okay to feel left out. Loud budgeting is all about owning your unique situation and not trying to keep up with everyone.
Practice what you say out loud – Apart from sharing your budgeting journey, take this time to find ways to reduce your impulse purchases. For example, you can remove your credit card and debit card details from online retailers to lower the temptation of instant gratification. Delete shopping and food delivery apps to reduce spending and save more money.
Conclusion…
We love loud budgeting as it allows people to open up about their finances with others and helps them stay on track with their financial journey. In many families, discussing money is still considered taboo. However, trends like these allow Gen Zs to break the traditional patterns and discuss money openly. Being loud about your budget and finances can also help you avoid overspending and stick to your financial plan.
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