Budgeting doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, there are ways you can make it more fun! The trick is to keep it simple, setting up rewards, and turning it into a game. After all, nobody enjoys budgeting when it’s frustrating or overwhelming.

10 ways to have fun budgeting

1. Change your mindset

Okay, we’re not starting with the most exciting tip, but you can’t have fun once you’ve decided that budgeting is about freedom, not restriction.

Budgeting isn’t a financial prison. It’s a plan for your money that helps you do what you want, like pay off debt, save for retirement, or take that dream vacation.

The best part is that there is no right or wrong way to budget. It’s your plan, so you can decide how much to spend on Doordash, Spanish lessons, and dog toys.

You get to pick your goals. Sure, paying off debt and retiring are sensible options, but it’s your life, and you can decide where you spend your money. If a dream trip to Spain is more motivating, make that your goal. Your money doesn’t have to fit into anyone else’s rules.

Also, remember that every month (or budget period) represents a fresh start. If you messed up last month, it doesn’t matter. You can start over with each new budget.

2. Budget some play money

Always set aside money specifically for fun. Not every dollar needs to be doing something serious. This could be a dedicated budget category for restaurants, concerts, or comedy shows. You can also just have free spending money for impulse purchases. I call this “walking around money.”

3. Make budgeting an event

Set aside time in your calendar to budget. Payday is a natural choice, but it can be any time that’s convenient. Consistency is key to budgeting, so making it a planned activity will increase your chances of success.

Turn on some music, pour a glass of wine, light a candle, and spend quality time with your budget!

4. Budget with a partner

If you share finances with a partner, then budgeting together is critical. But even if you are single, teaming up with a friend you can budget with can make it more fun and help you stay on track.

Find a like-minded buddy, set goals together, and check in regularly for accountability. You might be surprised by how motivating it can be!

Related post: How to budget as a couple

5. Try a budgeting challenge

There are tons of money challenges floating around on the internet — why not try one?

Here are some options:

• The 100 Envelope Challenge: Label envelopes 1 through 100 and then, each day, choose one at random and put the corresponding amount of money in the envelope. This challenge isn’t for the faint of heart. One day you may need to save $3, the next, it could be $75.
• No-Spend Challenge: You can set your own rules, but the basic idea is to see how long you can go without spending anything besides essentials.
• 52-Week Challenge: Save a dollar more each week than you did the previous week, so start with $1 on week one. In week two, you’ll save $2; week three, you’ll save $3, and so on. If you can keep it up for an entire year, you’ll have saved $1,378!

Find a challenge that interests you and give it a shot. Or make one up!

6. Use a budgeting app

Budgeting apps make everything easier and therefore, more fun.

A budgeting app like Lunch Money pulls in your banking transactions automatically, so all you have to do is assign them to categories. In fact, Lunch Money does most of that for you as well.

No painful math, just a simple, clean way to see where your money is going. Remember, easy budgeting = stress-free budgeting.

7. Keep it simple

Complicated budgets are frustrating, and frustrating isn’t fun. Set yourself up for success by keeping things simple.

You can do this by starting with broad categories. Don’t worry about exactly how much you spent on clothes vs books. Just make it all “discretionary spending” and call it a day. This will make it easier to categorize your transactions and stay organized.

You can always refine your spending categories as you get more comfortable with your budget.

8. Give your budget categories fun names

Who says your budget categories have to have boring names, like “groceries” or “gas.” I’ve seen people get very creative.

For example, one Lunch Money user calls their emergency fund, the “banana stand.” Someone else has all Star Wars-themed categories, and I’ve seen a lot of curse words. You do you.

Choose category names that motivate you or make you smile. But don’t get so creative that you can’t remember what the category is for!

9. Make it visual

Have you ever seen those fundraising thermometers that color in sections as donations come in? You can do the same with your financial goals.

If you have a specific goal, such as to pay off your student loans or save $10,000, you can make a thermometer, or any other shape, and color it as you progress. It’s a fun way to keep your goals top of mind.

10. Set up rewards

Who doesn’t love a little incentive? Setting up rewards is a great way to stay motivated. For example, it may be getting your nails done if you hit your savings goals. Or buy a new video game if you stick to your budget for a specific period.

The key is to set up the rewards ahead of time. It defeats the purpose if you decide on the spur of the moment that you deserve a little treat. Instead, use it as a motivational tool.

Final Thoughts

Budgeting doesn’t have to be stressful. You can make it more fun by keeping things simple, using an app, and finding other creative ways to stay motivated, like budget fun money, budget with a friend, and setting up rewards along the way.