Financial Planning for People Who Don’t Like Budgeting

Automate as Much as Possible

The less you need to think about money, the easier it is:

• Set up direct debits for bills.
• Schedule automatic savings.
• Use round-up apps that save your spare change.

Automation relieves the pressure of decision-making and helps you stay disciplined with minimal effort.

Focus on Progress, Not Cents

You don’t need to log every latte; just check in monthly to see if you’re moving towards your bigger goals. For example:

This keeps you motivated without the stress of constant tracking.

Don’t Forget to Add Fun to Your Plan

That’s right, fun! Your plan doesn’t need to be limited to the “four walls” (food, utilities, housing, transport) and savings. When you’re figuring out how to manage money without traditional budgeting, make room for the things you enjoy.

After adding up the cost of your basic expenses, build out the rest of your plan by including other obligations and fun “wants”, non-necessities like entertainment, hobbies, dining out, or little treats. 

Remember, as long as you’re paying bills on time and saving towards long-term goals, spending on what you love isn’t a detriment to your financial health; it’s what keeps the plan sustainable.

Easy ways to implement it:

• Set a monthly Fun Money amount (a flat € or % of income).
• Keep it separate (using a prepaid card or a separate account) so you can spend it guilt-free.
• If it runs out, you’re done for the month. No shame, just a reset next month.

Start with the Goal, Then Plan

Instead of asking “How much should I spend?”, ask:

This way, your money aligns with your priorities without micromanaging daily expenses.

Reward Yourself

Budgets don’t have to feel restrictive; build in rewards for real progress. If you’ve paid off debt, hit a savings milestone, or stayed consistent for a few months, celebrate it.

Track it visually: use a chart, graph, or thermometer tracker with milestones (25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) and colour it in as you go.

Set rewards in advance:

• At 50% debt payoff: Enjoy a takeaway or a movie night.
• Emergency fund = 1 month’s expenses: book a day trip or brunch.

Keep rewards modest but meaningful; they’ll keep you motivated without throwing you off track.