‘Loud budgeting’ can speak volumes ~ Page D2 ~ Take control of your money: A guide for everyone ~ Page D7 ~
JAnuAry 30, 2025 the
St. LouiS AmericAn
‘Loud budgeting’ can speak volumes
By Laura Onyeneho Houston Defender Network
Social media is known as a place where flaunting your latest purchase or sharing your vacation snaps is the norm. A new Tik Tok trend has emerged that encourages the opposite: being loud about not spending. “Loud budgeting,” a money-saving technique, is all about putting your financial goals first and being unapologetic about it.
Coined by media personality Lukas Battle, loud budgeting has gained traction as more young people look for ways to manage their finances without succumbing to the pressure of social obligations.
Battle describes the concept as follows: When invited to social events, whether dinner with friends, a birthday trip, or a lavish destination wedding, you should feel comfortable saying no if it jeopardizes your financial goals. What’s more, you should be honest about why you’re declining.
Jade Warshaw, a debt elimination expert, financial coach and co-host of The Ramsey Show, is known for paying off more than $460,000 in debt with her husband in seven years. She has used her social media platforms to help her followers strategize their way to financial freedom. She has been ‘Loud budgeting’ for over 30 years.
“I would say a good budget is detailed, realistic, and flexible,” she explained to her TikTok followers. “If you want to take it to the next level, make a zerobased budget. A zero-based budget is spending every single dollar on paper before the month begins, and you create a new budget every month because every
month is different.”
What is loud budgeting?
At its core, loud budgeting is about being open and vocal about the reason behind your financial decisions. For years, people have felt the pressure to keep up appearances, often accepting costly invitations even when it strains their wallets. With loud budgeting, that social stigma is flipped on its head. Instead of silently declining or feeling guilty about not participating, individuals are encouraged to proudly declare that they prioritize their financial well-being.
By making your budgeting decisions loud, you normalize discussions about money and create space for others to do the same. It’s not just about saving money—it’s about being transparent about your financial goals and feeling empowered to set boundaries regarding your spending. This transparency can alleviate financial stress and open up conversations about how others might feel similar financial pressures but are too afraid to speak up.
Balanced budget, less stress
According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 Stress in America study, 45% of respondents feel embarrassed to discuss money with others. Money was one of the biggest sources of stress for respondents in every age group, with the exception of those over 65.
In a world where financial literacy
See BUDGETING, D5
Budget tips that can take you to success
By Brooke Howell GM Financial
What are your financial goals? Maybe you dream about cruising off the lot in a new vehicle or living completely free of credit card debt.
Whatever you want for your future, following careful and conscious budgeting tips can help you get there. Here are a few of our favorites to get started:
Know your why – Know why you decided to start a budget and keep yourself accountable by writing your reasons on a slip of paper to keep in your wallet.
Be honest – How much do you really spend each month? Unexpected purchases can add up and wreck your budget.
Pay yourself first – Before you put money toward necessities, move money into a savings account each time you get paid. Paying yourself first will help you see saving as a priority.
Be prepared – In addition to savings, put money into an emergency fund. Try to keep six to eight months of living expenses on hand.
Learn when to say no – Putting off big expenses or splurges until you’ve had time to consider and save money will help you make smarter, more satisfying decisions.
And when to say yes – As you build your budget, make room for things you enjoy, like an occasional meal out or that funky hat.
Make it a team effort – Budgeting is easier when everyone is on the same page. Sit down with your partner to determine your goals and figure out your budgeting plans as a family.
Keep at it – Be prepared for unexpected expenses, stay consistent and keep tweaking your budget to find what works best for you. You’ll get there.
This article was originally published by GM Financial
Creating a budget is an act of empowerment
Put yourself in control
St. Louis American
Creating and using a budget is something everyone can accomplish and benefit from. Budgeting is a powerful process that can help you develop a financial plan and build financial capability and empowerment.
Budgeting is an empowering process. It puts you in control of your money and guides you toward what you really want in life, including having fun.
What is a budget?
A budget is a written plan for how you will spend and save your income each month. Budgeting includes:
1. Identifying your priorities and goals
2. Creating an outline of estimated monthly income and expenses
3. Tracking actual spending and income
4. Making adjustments to the plan
Budgeting helps to:
• Show you where your money is going and reduce wasteful spending
• Improve ability to pay all your bills monthly and not run out of money
• Free up money to pay down debt
• Save for things you really want
• Better prepare for emergencies
Steps to create a budget
1. Estimate your monthly income
2. Estimate your monthly expenses
3. Divide the expenses from the income and the money left over can be put away in a savings account.
This article was compiled from Federal Trade Commission resources. For additional information, please visit https://consumer.gov/ your-money/making-budget
Budgeting
Continued from D2
isn’t always prioritized, trends like loud budgeting allow young people to engage in financial conversations that might otherwise feel intimidating. It challenges the societal norm that you need to say “yes” to every invitation or opportunity that comes your way, regardless of how it impacts your finances.
This trend is significant because it highlights the financial struggles many young people face today, particularly in a time of rising student debt, housing costs, and inflation. Financial pressure is real for many Millennials and Gen Z, and a sense of guilt is often tied to saying no to social plans. Loud budgeting removes that guilt and replaces it with empowerment.
Being loud about budgeting sends a powerful message that saving money and making responsible financial decisions shouldn’t be something to hide. With so much social media revolving around consumerism and “living your best life,” loud budgeting brings balance to the narrative by emphasizing that there’s strength in saving—and there’s nothing wrong with declining an invite if it helps you meet your financial goals.
“We, especially as women, need to become more serious about creating a generation of people, specifically adults, which are financially literate,” said content creator Naomi Ny.
“That means teaching our sisters, mothers, and aunties. Anybody in your family who doesn’t understand how money works or specifically their money.”
Taking control of your money: A guide for everyone
Debt can feel like a big burden, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Lots of us face challenges with credit cards, student loans, and mortgages, which is why it’s so important to understand how to manage your financial responsibilities. Learning about debt management is the first step toward financial safety and success.
Why Managing Debt is Important
Many people struggle with debt, and one study reports that, “about 80% of Americans owe money”. This shows how important it is to understand money and get help when you need it. Whether it’s credit cards, student loans, or mortgages, knowing how debt works can help you make smart choices.
Debt often seems bad, but it doesn’t have to be. Some types of debt, like loans for education or buying a home, are called “good debt.” These can help you build wealth over time. On the other hand, “bad
debt,” like high-interest payday loans or credit card debt, can cause problems if you don’t manage it well. But if you handle your debt properly, it can lighten your load and give you hope for a better financial future.
Smart Ways to Handle Debt
Having a solid plan to manage your debt is important for achieving financial stability. Here are two popular strategies you can use:
1. Avalanche Method: This method focuses on paying off your debts with the highest interest rates first while making minimum payments on your other debts. This way can help you save money on interest over time.
2. Snowball Method: With this strategy, you tackle your smallest debts first. As you pay them off, you get a push of motivation to keep going.
Both ways are good, and the best choice depends on your own situation.
If you find it hard to stick to a budget or you use credit cards for everyday expenses, consider seeking help from a trusted credit counseling agency.
Creating a Strong Money Base
At Great Southern Bank, our Financial Education Center has great tools to help you build a strong foundation with money. You can learn about budgeting, saving, and investing here. For example, the 50-30-20 rule is an easy budgeting method that suggests using 50% of your income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or paying off debt. This plan can help you prioritize your spending and develop better financial habits.
As a trusted member of the St. Louis area, we understand the special financial challenges you face. That’s why we provide easy-to-use resources through our Financial Education Center. Our lessons cover everything from starting out in life to planning for retirement, giving you the
tools to succeed.
By using these tools, you can make smart financial choices that will help you and your family for years to come.
You’re Not Alone
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by debt, remember you’re not alone. Getting support is an important step in managing your finances. Look for non-profit credit counseling agencies that offer low-cost services and trained counselors who can help with credit and debt.
Don’t hesitate to contact your bank. At Great Southern Bank, our team is here to give you personalized help to tackle your financial challenges.
At Great Southern Bank, we believe that knowledge is power, and we want to make that power available to everyone. Let’s take important steps toward financial empowerment today at www. GreatSouthernBank.com!
