“We paid everything off first, and then we had kids. And so we have a sizable retirement fund, and it just feels very strange to still be… in a situation where my husband's getting upset about money when we're supposed to be doing that well on paper,” Denise said. She goes on to say that she thinks groceries and insurance expenses are straining their budget.
When Denise asked if they could ever “save too much,” Dave Ramsey believes the real problem wasn’t the savings; it was the lack of planning. “You're throwing money in savings and hoping you can live with what's left over, and when chaos hits, you dip back into the savings,” Ramsey said.
Why budgeting matters, especially now
When Ramsey dug deeper into Denise’s situation, he discovered that the couple doesn’t have a solid budget set up, which is a big reason for the stress and “chaos” every month.
Having a budget is critical, especially with the unpredictable financial landscape of today. Inflation continues to cut down consumers’ purchasing power, making everyday essentials like food, gas, and utilities more expensive than they were even a year ago. In 2025, U.S. inflation is projected to go up by 3.1% according to the Congressional Budget Office [2]. This means that for many families, like Denise’s, every dollar needs to stretch even further.
A recent Lending Tree survey showed that many Americans have changed their grocery and dining out habits, reporting that 44% are buying more generic brands and 61% are stressed about being able to afford groceries [3].
At the same time, higher interest rates mean credit card balances, mortgages, and auto loans are more expensive to carry. Having debt and not having a budget in place means more stress.
Creating and following a budget gives you control over your finances. It helps families see exactly where their money is going and where it can be adjusted. Budgets also force people to focus on priorities like figuring out true needs from wants and making sure to pay off debts first.
Budgeting tips for families
Whether or not you have seven kids, the first thing that families can do is start tracking their spending for a month or two, using statements or apps. This way, you’ll have a clear picture of where your money is going.
Here are some practical budgeting tips:
