The Anti-Budget Budget That Actually Works

Hey there,

Let’s be real for a sec:

Most budgeting advice sounds like it was written by someone who eats boiled chicken, reads cereal box nutrition labels for fun, and hasn’t been to brunch since 2008.

“Just cut out lattes and avocado toast.”
Cool, Janet. So I can retire with a million bucks and zero serotonin? No thanks.

Here’s the thing no one tells you:
The secret to saving more without feeling deprived isn’t about cutting the fun stuff—it’s about knowing what actually brings you joy and doubling down on that.

I call it Conscious Spending (okay, I didn’t invent it—but I did steal it and slap a better name on it: The Joy-First Budget™).

Here’s the basic idea:
You don’t need to save money by living like a monk. You save by getting super clear on what makes you feel rich, and ditching the stuff that doesn’t.

Let me show you what this looks like in real life:

👉 Case Study: Laura, 29, Corporate Girlie™
Laura was spending $300/month on Uber Eats. Why? Because she thought she “hated cooking.”
Turns out she didn’t hate cooking—she hated cleanup.
So she invested in a dishwasher off Craigslist, meal-prepped twice a week, and cut her takeout bill in half. With that extra $150/month, she started a “Treat Yo Self” fund, guilt-free.
Moral of the story? Find the root, fix the habit, keep the joy.

👉 Case Study: Marcus, 34, Low-Key Gym Bro
Marcus was dropping $120/month on a gym he never went to...because it was 40 minutes away.
He switched to a $30 local gym, bought a kettlebell for home, and used the $90/month to finally upgrade to Spotify Premium and take salsa lessons (his words: “game changer on date nights”).
He didn’t just save money. He increased his life satisfaction.

Now it’s your turn. Here’s how to build your own Joy-First Budget™:

Step 1: Track your spending like an anthropologist

Open your bank app. Pull the last 30 days. Ask yourself:

• What purchases made me genuinely happy?

• What felt like a waste?

• Where am I spending out of habit, not intention?

Pro tip: Color-code or tag “joy purchases” vs. “meh purchases.” You’ll see the pattern real quick.

Step 2: Cut the “meh” without guilt

Got three streaming services you don’t use? Ax ‘em.
Buying coffee daily but not enjoying it anymore? Brew at home on purpose—then reinvest those savings into something you care about (like a monthly dinner out or a Sunday massage).

Step 3: Add friction to your spending

Ever try to unsubscribe from an email newsletter? Make your spending feel like that.

• Delete saved cards from your browser.

• Use a 24-hour rule for non-essential buys.

• Create a “Cravings” list—you can buy anything on it…after it’s been there for 7 days.
  Watch how many impulses die of natural causes.

Bottom line: You don’t need to give up what you love to save more. You just need to recalibrate what’s actually worth your money.

Saving should feel like leveling up, not living less.

Try this Joy-First Budget™ for 30 days. See what shifts.
Then hit reply and tell me what changed—your wins, surprises, salsa dance horror stories… I want it all.

Talk soon,
–The Banking On You Team

P.S. If you liked this tip, forward it to a friend who needs a little budgeting therapy. Share the joy, baby.