Let’s talk about what it means to make intentional decisions about how your money is spent.

Have you ever gotten paid, ordered some food, put gas in the car, picked up a few things at the store, and paid one or two bills? Then you checked your account and realized you didn’t have enough left to cover everything that paycheck needed to cover.

I know I have.

Money can go quickly when you haven’t decided what it needs to do. Each purchase might seem manageable by itself. But by the time you look at what remains, you may have already spent money you still needed for something else.

That’s why I believe it’s important to have a plan for each pay period. You need to know which bills will be paid with each paycheck, what you need for food and gas, and whether anything remains for savings or something you want. Making those decisions ahead of time helps you decide where your money goes before everyday spending makes those decisions for you.

But writing the plan is only part of it. You still have to make choices that help you follow it.

I like buying clothes. I might see an outfit, a pair of shoes, or a purse that I want. And wanting it doesn’t mean I’ve done anything wrong. The question is whether I can spend that money and still cover what I need until my next payday.

There can be money in my account that already has a job. I may still need it for a bill, groceries, or gas. Seeing that balance doesn’t automatically mean I have money available to shop.

So I sit down and look at my account to see how much I have left. Then I go over the remaining bills due that month and look at what needs to be paid during that particular pay period. I also have to consider what I’ll need to get through to the next paycheck.

If what needs to be covered exceeds my income, I look at what can be adjusted. We’ve talked in earlier Kitchen Table Conversations about reviewing the plan, asking about payment options, and considering temporary changes. I do that when I need to. I can’t make a good decision about an outfit without first looking at the rest of my situation.

Sometimes, after looking at it, the answer is simple. I need that money for something else right now.

That’s when I tell myself, “I’m going to have to get it at a later time.”

That’s just being real about the situation. I still want the outfit. I still like the shoes. But if buying them means spending the money I need for food, gas, or a bill, I would be creating another problem for myself.

It may take one more pay period before I can get what I want. It may take two. It might be a month. It depends on what my financial situation looks like at that time. I have to be willing to look at the plan again and make a decision that works with what I actually have.

To me, that is what making an intentional decision looks like. I recognize what I want, consider what my money still needs to cover, and choose where those dollars need to go. Then I follow through, even when I would rather buy something else.

I want to be able to enjoy things. I also want to get to the next payday without worrying about whether a purchase left me short on something I needed. Waiting can be disappointing in the moment, but spending that money won’t make the need go away.

Over time, following through on these decisions has brought me such a sense of relief. I know what is supposed to be paid and which paycheck will cover it. I can look ahead instead of trying to figure everything out as it happens.

It almost feels like being able to see a little part of my future when it comes to my money. I can see what’s coming, what is already assigned, and where I may need to make an adjustment. That helps me plan better. It also helps me recognize when something I want can fit.

I feel more confident about my spending habits. I have more control, and I’m more at peace. There is comfort in knowing I’ve looked at my situation and made a decision that supports what I need.

A plan may not remove a shortage. There can still be difficult decisions when your income doesn’t cover everything, but knowing where you stand helps you see what needs attention. Following through on the choices available to you can help you avoid adding another shortage and may create a little breathing room.

When I talk about stability, this is part of what I mean. I’m making decisions today that help me get through the days ahead. Those decisions give me encouragement because I can see myself taking care of what needs to be covered.

The next time you want to buy something, take a moment to look at what your money still needs to do before payday. If the purchase can fit, you can make that decision with a clearer understanding of your situation. If it needs to wait, you can give those dollars their assigned jobs and come back to it later.

Sometimes, “I’m going to have to get it at a later time” is the decision that helps you move forward with greater peace of mind.

Kitchen Table Question of the Week

What is one purchase you’ve chosen to put off so your money could cover something more important? How did you feel about that decision afterward?