✨ MONEY MOMENT

We’re often told that overspending is a sign of weakness, impulse, or poor discipline. But what if it’s actually a sign of unmet emotional needs...of joy that wasn’t accounted for?

When families blow past their budgets, it’s rarely because they’re being reckless. On the contrary. It’s because they didn’t build in space for the things that light them up. The spontaneous ice cream run. The last-minute concert tickets. The birthday gift that felt “too much” but meant everything.

Joy isn’t a luxury—it’s a line item.

That’s why I believe every budget should include a Fun Money Bucket: 5 to 10% (or more, if your budget supports it) of your monthly take-home pay, set aside for spontaneous, delightful spending.

Not just “wants,” but soul-filling, laughter-sparking, memory-making moments.

When we start budgeting for joy on purpose, not just bills and obligations, we shift the emotional tone of money. It becomes less about restriction and more about alignment. Less guilt, more grace.

I spent waaaay too long in scarcity mode and I’m sharing with this today so you can build it into yours, hopefully soon that I did. This message is my gift to you so that when your next bonus or pay raise comes, be sure to insert this crucial and joyful line item into your spending.

And don’t just keep this golden nugget for yourself. I’ve started working with my older son to prepare him for his next adulthood adventure, and we created a sample budget together (using my newly designed template that I'm excited to share with you soon). And you better believe there’s a line item for Fun Money—right there alongside rent, groceries, and savings.

Imagine if you had started adulthood with Fun Money as a core concept. How would you have approached spending, saving, and joy differently? How many guilt-ridden purchases could’ve been celebrated instead?

Teaching our kids to budget isn’t just about numbers, it’s about values. It’s about showing them that financial wellness includes room for delight, spontaneity, and the things that make life feel full. This type of proactive money perspective helps to keep the dreadful scarcity money mindset at bay.

Because when joy is planned for, it doesn’t derail the budget, it defines it.

🪄Try this: Add a “Joy Buffer” to your budget this month. Label it clearly. Use it proudly. Even if you start with 1%, let it be there to remind you that your money is meant to support your life, not just your bills.

Be intentional, spend with joy, and give yourself grace along the way. With heart and aloha, ~ Shanalei ~💖🌺

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🧺 Budget Bites & Life Hacks

Here's a quick grocery hack: Shop in your pantry first. Before meal planning, take 10 minutes to scan what you already have. You’ll be amazed how many meals are hiding in plain sight. Plus, this helps to keep your pantry fresh, before the expiration date creeps up.

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🎧 On the Podcast

If you’re vibing with what I’m throwing down in today’s newsletter, especially budgeting with joy and building momentum, then you’ll love Episode 65 on the Debt-Free Momentum Podcast: 65 | Bite-Sized Budgeting 6 of 10: Smart Budgeting Strategies and Shortcuts for Eliminating Debt and Building Your Wealth Like a Pro.

I’m sharing strategy shortcuts for busy families, mindset shifts that make money feel lighter, and yes… the magic of Fun Money as a legit line item. Because financial wellness isn’t just about discipline, it’s about designing a life that feels good. 🎧 Tune in for practical tips, emotional clarity, and a sneak peek at a tool that’s about to change the way families plan ahead.

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📣 What's New on Facebook

Facebook Announcement! I recently launched the SanityCents Facebook Page to share money and budgeting insights with you more frequently. Bite-sized tips, mindset shifts, and practical tools to help your family plan ahead with clarity and confidence.

🧠 On the SanityCents Page lately, we’ve been unpacking the emotional side of budgeting—how to stop looking backward at what you spent and start planning forward with clarity. From mindset shifts like “pay yourself first” to practical tools that help families handle surprises without panic, it’s all about making money feel less stressful and more empowering.

👉 Come join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/sanitycents​