Budgeting with Heart: How I’m Saving Without Sacrificing Joy

My friends, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I’ve had every intention of blogging more this year, but something’s been… off. It’s been hard to sit down and write — not because I’ve been unmotivated, but because I’ve been busy. Mind, body, soul, kind of busy.

One of the biggest areas I’m re-centering on this season is budgeting. Since moving out of the city and into suburban life, things have shifted, especially when it comes to spending. My grocery store changed (goodbye Trader Joe’s, hello Fred Meyer), and Freddie’s has everything. Like… everything. Which means Amazon orders have declined, and Target? … Target, who? 💅

I’ve started eating healthier (somehow spending less), stopped casually dining out (minus my beloved Chipotle), and overall, I’ve just… stopped spending money like I used to. But not in a deprivation way. I’m simply spending with intention.

And it feels really, really good.

Table of Contents

My Budget System: Buckets, Not Envelopes

I used to be a cash envelope gal back when I was paying off student loans. But these days, I’m going digital. My bank offers “buckets” — and I’m obsessed. Some of mine have long-term goals, others are sinking funds I expect to deplete each year. I may have gone a little overboard (15 buckets!), but I love seeing exactly where every dollar is going.

Here’s where my money’s being stashed:

Emergency Fund (Complete!) – 6 months of expenses, just in case.
Extra Emergency Fund – My stretch goal: one full year of expenses, eventually.
House Fund – This is my biggie. It’s a few years away, but I’m determined.
Disney Family Vacation 2029 – A big, magical trip for my niece and nephew. Saving early because pixie dust isn’t cheap!
Car Expenses – Emergencies, tabs, tires — you know the drill. Planning to double this next year as repair costs rise.
Car Insurance (Sinking Fund) – I renew every six months.
Chase Sapphire Renewal (Sinking Fund) – Because points = future travel!
Gifts (Sinking Fund) – Birthdays, weddings, holidays. This saves me every time.
Travel Fund (Sinking Fund) – For small trips and spontaneous adventures. If the fund’s empty, I stay home. No exceptions.
Shows & Festivals (Sinking Fund) – Local arts matter. Nutcracker every year, and a few special events!
Self-Care (Sinking Fund) – Hair and brow maintenance, but I’m in my “recession hair” era. So, I’m growing it long and natural.
Makeup Refill (Sinking Fund) – $10 per paycheck. Only buying when something runs out. Period.
Knitting Yarn (Sinking Fund) – For Flock Fiber Fest and general cozy crafting. Yarn is my weakness.
My Birthday! (Sinking Fund) – A milestone year is coming… and I’m planning to treat myself with something golden. Literally.
Blog Hosting (Sinking Fund) – Because this space brings me joy, and I have to pay for it!

I also pull out a little weekly cash for small joys like coffee or Chipotle. Lately, my biggest splurge has been… produce. The majority of my money goes to fruits and veggies these days. Who even am I?

Note: If I overshot any of these funds by the end of the year, they’ll be distributed to my emergency fund!

What About Free Fun?

I was going to tuck this in here, but the truth is… I think it deserves its own post. (Spoiler: I’m already working on “101 Free Things to Do” and it’s going to be good!)

But just for a sneak peek, here are some of my favorite free or nearly-free joys lately:

Watching DVDs of old favorites
Gardening (just new soil, no new pots!)
Walks by the water with my bestie + faux niece
Library hauls (physical books and audiobooks!)
Dog and house sitting (a vacation without a price tag)
Re-organizing my pantry (oddly satisfying)
Tee-ball chaos with my faux nephew
Exploring new walking trails near home
Printing and framing old photos to make my house feel more me

We’re all navigating uncertain times, and being smart with money isn’t about scarcity. It’s about empowerment. Even if all you can set aside is $20 per paycheck, it adds up. And it matters.

Let’s keep dreaming big and saving strong, shall we?