Identify a goal to motivate your budgeting

Dear Dave,

My wife and I are in our twenties. We have no debt and $50,000 in the bank. Our income is $90,000 a year, and we're cautious to live on less than we make. Still, we can't seem to get motivated to make a budget. How can we get inspired to do this?

Isaac

Dear Isaac,

Two of the biggest motivators we have are pain and pleasure. Financially, you guys don't have any pain. You're killing it! So, we're going to have to figure out something associated with pleasure.

I think you need to look for something bigger than money to push you. You guys need to ask yourselves, "What are we saving for?" On a bigger scale, ask yourselves, "What can we do with this money?"

It sounds to me like you both realize money can't be the goal. And that's a good thing. You guys are obviously smart, gifted people. I'm sure you have ideas and goals, dreams and desires. Talk about them and write them down. By doing this, you'll be taking the first steps toward making these things reality. When you have something specific that you want money to do, it gives you a reason to make it behave.  

God calls us to manage well the resources He gives us, so that we're able to do good things for His kingdom and His people. Broke people can't give, so my advice would be to use your talents and resources for the good of others.

-Dave

Dave Ramsey is America's trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover,EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 6 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.