Is it strange I am planning how I will spend my money before I earn it?

[jennifer_bloom]

I am able to form educated guesses about how much I could make each year based on my knowledge and experience scoping the financial market and my educated hypothesis on the market value of what I offer to the world so I plan on writing my financial goals and my budgeting plan before the money even comes in. It might seem dumb but people with new money and no budgeting plan, squander their wealth and waste it on things they don't need. Over 95% of lottery winners spend all their winnings within 5 years, so my idea might not be so dumb when you look at what the data says on people who have money but no game plan on what they want to do it. It's not something I plan on doing with a professional because there is a religious component to how my money needs to be spent, since I believe God rewards and punishes based on what you do with the things he gives you or grants you.

[ChiTown33]

Not so long as you're leaving yourself breathing room. Some people budget, but the problem is they budget EVERY CENT. Most people do not save ANYTHING. Most people have a YOLO attitude. And that's why when a financial bind hit them they find themselves in financial difficulty. It's always best to live a little below your means. If you can stand it, even a lot below your means. I got a piece of advice that served me well throughout my life in regards to money, "Spend some, save some, and give some away". Life is about balance.

[Fireguy17]

Not really, it is called budgeting.

It is a smart thing to do.

That way you know what your expenses are, how much to budget for food, entertainment etc, and hopefully you have some left to put away for the future.

[mollysos]

I don't think it strange but I do the same thing it shows your responsible. And you can see your limit and prevent you you from going broke.

[WhitneySnow]

Not a bad idea at all

[jeffend888]

Well, that all depends.

Is this money you know you are going to earn? Aka, you have a stable job with a W2 income?

Or is this based on money you think you will earn based on something that hasn't happened yet?

Two completely different things.

[ohsheeT]

Yes it is why don't you get a Year's worth money put away in the bank first and then the next year instead of thinking about it you can do it everything changes so you want to be financially ahead before you do anything

[coolbreeze]

Your budgeting better then most of the population. a lot of people don't budget their money and live paycheck to paycheck

[DarkWinterNights]

No, I think that’s pretty normal actually, unless you’re super rich and don’t really have any sort of budget.

[exitseven]

That is pretty normal.

[jamesgoldman]

Not if you are on a fixed income