By Petra-Ann Brown, Brown Financial Solutions
As of late, my money has been feeling tight, so much so that I had to stop and ask myself what was going on. I haven’t had this feeling since I dug myself out of debt years ago.
During my monthly budget review, I sat down, tea in hand, kids finally tucked in and really looked at my numbers. I review my budget every month, but because I’ve been doing this for so long, I’m usually in tune with my bills. I know what goes up at what time of year (thank you, winter heating bill) and which expenses stay steady. So lately, my reviews have become more cursory, a quick check-in rather than a deep dive.
But that night, I decided to slow down and look closer.
And there it was, the culprit. There was simply too much demand for my money.
One of the struggles I often wrestle with is the thought: “I make good money.” That phrase can be both comforting and dangerous. It gives a false sense of security, a quiet permission to say, “I can afford it.”
Even though everything was technically within my budget, my money still felt tight because more and more of it was being tied up in activities for the kids. Between sports, lessons, birthdays parties, and school functions, my sinking funds were full, but my flexibility was gone.
When I looked deeper, I realized I had money neatly set aside for all the predictable things – lawn care, car maintenance, birthdays, insurance, even home projects but very little for spontaneity or fun. I had created a system that kept me responsible…but not flexible.
And that’s when it hit me: sometimes the pressure we feel isn’t because we’re overspending, it’s because every dollar already has a job.
Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate how much I’m putting into each category. Do I really need to fund every sinking fund equally? Or could I reduce a few, freeing up a bit more for life’s joys, the spontaneous coffee date, the last-minute family outing, the things that make this whole financial discipline worthwhile?
Because at the end of the day, financial freedom isn’t just about paying bills or saving responsibly, it’s about breathing room. It’s about feeling at peace with your money.
Your Takeaway
If your money feels tight even though you make good money, take a closer look.
It might not be about how much you earn, but where your money is going and whether you’ve built space for living, not just surviving.
Set aside 30 minute this week to check in with your budget, and ask yourself, “is my money working for my peace, or just my obligations?
