Balanced Budget

With school getting ready to start again we’ve had a lot of conversations around our house about sports, camps, lessons and all the extra activities that come along with being a kid. During one of the discussions, our 11-year-old daughter astutely observed that family budgets are a bit tighter than in years past and proposed doing a few weekly activities that don’t cost as much instead of one that was more expensive.

That idea led to an entire discussion about the need to consider things other that just money when it comes to the family budget. While it gets complicated, the reality is that you have to consider at least time, money, and energy when trying to find some semblance of balance, and every year that seems to get harder and harder. While one thing may cost less, it might require far more time or energy. Not sure there is a magic answer to finding our mythical balance, but it seems like thinking about is at least a good first step.

This sketch and post originally appeared in the Behavior Gap Newsletter August 19, 2010. Sign up today to receive your FREE copy.