The power of having a little Mad Money! -$9,055

[@LiveLoveBudget]

OMG...I have to do this. I feel like every time I blow my budget (outside of my recent medical issues) is because I feel confined by my budget and then I go all in since I "already blew the budget".

[@Sundayonthefarm]

The money stash was addressed in the book "Money, a memoir: Women, Emotions, and Cash" written by Liz Perle. Good read.

[@ouvickie]

I allow myself $50 per month for mad money. It works pretty good. Like you, if I eat out with a friend or spend a few dollars on a treat, I don't feel guilty. I tried the no-spend month before, but it's just too restrictive. I work at trying to make frugal choices, when I do eat lunch out or get myself a treat. That way I stay motivated. Thanks for being so inspiring!

[@ellieb8171]

My Grandad always said every woman should have some running away money 😅 just enough to get you out of whatever jam that you're in but that probably went back to when women didn't earn their own money , my Dad always said you should have 3 months wages saved incase you get sick/lose your job etc , he is a big believer in being financially independant .

[@russandomire7349]

My grandmother said the same. And she used to sew dimes inside my coat in case I needed to make a phone call. This was way back in the day. And I always bought candy with the dimes.

[@FlyLadyFan]

Really old school it was called "egg money." The wife tended the chickens (which were to feed the family eggs & meat), but if there were extra eggs she could sell, she put it in her stash of 'egg money.' Do not ask me how old I am, lol.

[@leeanncornell8305]

My Grand Mom had a tiny mouse bank and she would put pennies in it and when money was really bad, that paid for eggs, milk, bread, etc. I still have that mouse bank and it is over a hundred years old. It is priceless to me, as I adored my Grandma and she was my Mother for almost 13 years, until she passed on. She was a city girl when she first got it and married very young.

[@gwinfamily]

I have always had a hard time figuring out what to do with money left over from other areas! I thought I HAD to put it somewhere else in the budget! It never occurred to me to have a stash of money I can do whatever I want with! Oh the possibilities! Lol.

[@sarahmaria9934]

Just did my new cash envelopes for the month and put everything leftover from the previous month in my new 'mad money compartment'. It's just £12 put I'm sure it will be a nice treat at some point. Thanks for the idea :)

[@lynns.1855]

Good idea. I tend to go all or nothing. This used to get my budget in trouble. But with my real tight budget, I tend to lately do without rewards. Having a little spending money would help. It really comes down to intentional spending doesn't it. Giving yourself alittle breathing room can make this journey easier. Thanks for the videos! You are doing great!

[@Kimbopolo]

My favorite buy? Mutual Fund Shares! Once you start collecting them, it's addictive.

[@safepethaven]

Yup; that's the meaning I have -- though don't call it "mad money" but rather my "guilt-free-do-what-I'm-led-by-the-heart-to-do-with-it $", when I wrote you to yes, please go ahead and cash that little check 'for your birthday' -- because I had indeed been setting aside little bits all the way along, so that I CAN give when I want to, for birthday or celebratory gifts, or as charitable donations to my favorite very worthy causes [two very deserving animal rescue groups, 1 in IL and 1 in NC], or however I see fit -- and it in no way sacrifices nor compromises my other financial commitments. My joy comes from giving to those who are not only deserving but appreciative. You, Sarah, are easy to give to because of those factors.

[@francescamsimard]

I love mad money. It started when I was given $100 for Christmas many, many years ago and spent it on groceries. I decided that I deserved a little cash to indulge myself once in a while or spend without guilt. For the first years, I might have tucked 2-5 dollars a week away. Since then, I added any leftover cash from my weekly walking around money. Now, I put in the equivalent of 45 minutes of overtime pay per week. It's added up to a pretty substantial sum now and allows me to go to conventions or other events and spend what I like without thinking. Last fall I treated myself to a very expensive collector's figurine.

[@MirandaLeacock]

I'm like that too. I'm not in debt, but I am trying to save as much money as I possibly can for my emergency fund. I can't function right if I can't buy anything. I don't really buy much anyway, but I do need to know that I can if I really want to. Great advice!

[@lesliecarnes8775]

Love watching your videos! And I love the idea of a little bit of Mad Money. I have been out of my favorite lipstick for two months ( I literally only buy one or two a year, yes really.) And it really messed with my motivation to stick to my budget during NO Spenduary. Now I will take your advice and save a bit of Mad Money out for myself. Thanks!

[@GB-wn1cl]

Thinking through every detail back then just like you do now. So much thought and planning and so intentional. I believe it's the secret of your success.

[@BudgetGirl]

that is very kind! thank you!

[@GB-wn1cl]

Thank YOU

[@heathermayfield4247]

You are looking really great Sarah, that green suits you. I am really looking forward to seeing your end of the month financial round up. And I will be interested to know what you will do for your £5k celebration which doesn't feel far away now.

[@nicolehill1115]

You are almost under $9,000! Go girl!

[@tooblessedtobestressed9715]

Thankfully, we are out of debt but hubby and I don't make a whole lot of money. We live somewhere a little less than desirable because it allows us to afford to cash fund hubby's schooling. However, after that is paid - there is little to no wiggle room after that. Baby step one might take 10 years to save up at this rate! LOL My point is... We both work full time. Hubby's schedule is all over the place plus school so he has no time and I'm permanent day shift so I have taken on side jobs in the evening and on my days off to clean houses. It's something I really like to do and it gives me the "mad money" that helps me keep my sanity. I'm normally super frugal (originally a necessity but now I feel like thrift shopping and saving money is a hobby! LOL) so I don't spend a whole lot on luxury items. Now, I can use my cleaning money for those guilt-free purchases like when Bath & Body Works/Victoria's Secret do their semi-annual sales or I bought us an electric pressure cooker that I have been looking at for almost TWO YEARS but couldn't justify spending that kind of money on it. Now, the money is there if I feel like there's something we want to do or buy outside of the normal stuff! Great video! Thanks again, BG Sarah! Heather xo

[@beeintheworld8068]

I have mad money as well because I am a super saver with a crazy security gland :D

[@xiovandijk933]

I love getting so many new videos! Thank you!

[@SaraMitchell09]

interesting.... I never thought about keeping mad money. My parents did gift my husband and I a nice amount of money so we could enjoy a night out. We only spent $100 of it so far even though we could have done so much more. Now I am wanting to put it into the baby steps but they really wanted us to enjoy the money and go out. Maybe I will hide it for a while and use it in a few months when we start to feel the pressure again.

[@TheQueensCabinet]

I have so enjoyed watching your financial journey and can't wait until you get out of debt! Shelby

[@leeanncornell8305]

You are doing Fantastic and I love the the idea of Mad Money and how you go about getting that. Great idea. I have been frugal most of my life, even when I didn't realize I was being frugal. Much older than you, but my first husband was terrible with money and I didn't realize how bad he was until I had to pinch a penny until it screamed because of debt and I was only 22 at the time. I had to do things that you can't, anymore, nothing illegal, but it was rough for a few years for us, so we could get back on track for moves, new car, new jobs, a fixer upper in another state, etc. : ) You go, girl!! You are also right about having money as a woman, but you are also getting a great credit rating, which is just as important if not more than having money for a woman or anyone for that matter. : )

[@alyssarodriguez7488]

First commenter! Woohoo! I love your videos. You are extremely inspiring to me! Out of all the KZbinrs that I watch getting out of debt, I am most excited to see YOU out of debt. I am rooting you on! Go Sarah!

[@angelapennington4724]

You are so inspiring! 2019 is my scorched earth year! I'm nervous but excited.

[@BudgetGirl]

yay scorched earth!

[@jenbarrett6292]

I got your card today, thank you so much!

[@maureencairney9549]

Such a wise girl..

[@xWhereswaldo]

I have a separate 'treat yo self' savings account that I put money into occasionally, there's usually about $100/$200 in there, I'm going to be using if for the Modcloth surprise sale which should be happening this month sometime. Oh and the money/rebate I get from ebates and mr.rebates goes into my paypal and stays there for mad money as well.

[@pen5532]

my mom always had a secret spot in her wallet where she kept her mad money. I think there was always $5 in there. I only know about it because one time I asked her for a dollar and she said to get it from her wallet and I opened up that compartment and she said No don't touch my mad Money!

[@K-tin]

Hi Budget Girl! Been watching your videos for a few months now. I discovered your channel while looking for Dave Ramsey videos. You're super inspiring and I'm cheering you on your journey! Almost there!!! Way to go! ☺️☺️☺️

[@sharonw5199]

My momma used to say, "Every woman has her stash!" 💕

[@Crystalthewolf1000]

my grandmother would always give us $20 for dates if they went south and she'd call it our mad money

[@amithity8065]

I completely agree ! 😀

[@Rebecca_Renae]

Having that extra $800 when you are debt free is going to feel amazing!!

[@purplegrrl711]

Made money comes from the period when didn't earn their own money. Great reinterpretation

[@ambermcclellan6920]

If its not obvious, I'm a new subscriber and binge watching your videos. You have such a "real life" take on Dave Ramsey's plan. I've taken a lot of your advice this week, even though I've been on his plan since Feb... but struggled with little things like this. Your such an inspiration Sarah! Keep rockin!!!

[@docwimz]

Mad money may be a reference to money women kept in case the man did not behave right on the date. She could get a cab and go home. Or leave the date if his was not a gentleman.

[@mercerchristina]

mad money is a old fashion term, i call it me money :P

[@DaltonHBrown]

I'm already graduated and I just got an ad for a student loan before this video 🤣

[@becker1713]

Do you have any tips on meeting new people and making friend while you are on a strict budget? I'm finding only socializing through paid classes and events that require money to attend isn't helping getting my credit cards paid off!

[@janinehebert4023]

Great video!

[@peggy1046]

great video thanks

[@yatexasnycaflnvnigga]

Yeahhh

[@bettylou3709]

Don't kid yourself men always keep a little mad money too.

[@Whocares302]

Im curious if youve ever just had a really bad day and gone crazy and spent money that was to go towards debt...even just once? 😉

[@stephaniefoster2899]

Been there, done that! I'd like to say all that is behind me, but I'd be crazy to think I won't ever screw up again. The key is to learn from your experience, fix the budget to better avoid going money crazy (hence the need for mad money, which DH & I call his/her fun money), and identify the triggers that caused you to go crazy in the first place. This last one is most important, because if you don't know what caused the problem, you won't be able to avoid it in the future.

[@belenc.2924]

BG, the $2000.00 u saved was that considered mad money or car fund?

[@paytmitch]

Lynn Crowder she said that the $2K she saved was for an upcoming "storm" that she saw as a possibility in her future. She's very prepared!🙂

[@SaraMitchell09]

Lynn Crowder The $2k was for an upcoming storm and she still has mentioned if that storm has passed or what was going on.... totally understandable. I hope the storm passes and she doesn't need to use it because that extra $2k in the snowball would propel her forward by a few months!

[@franb562]

wow where so you get a $5 facial?