Why You May Need a Spending Plan Instead of a Budget

Where does the money go every month? It’s a question we hear a lot from our readers in all age groups. Young adults are trying to plan out spending for new weddings, new homes, and family additions. Mid-life adults and retirees are focused on raising kids, paying for college, and retirement.

And these issues are just a sampling of the kinds of expenses in our lives every day. A budget helps when managing savings, income, and expenses. To get some tips on a budget you can stick to, we reached out to Bonnie Sewell, CFP® of American Capital Planning. Here’s what she had to say:

Q: What are popular stores or places that carry stylish and functional accessories at reasonable prices?

Lisa: Here are my top favorites:

RocksBox! This is a relatively new find of mine, but it's great for stylish ladies on a budget. RocksBox provides a genius new subscription program that allows you to borrow three pieces of gorgeous jewelry each month, which you can then exchange at any time for three new pieces of jewelry.

If you'd prefer to purchase items instead of "borrow" them, try Purple Peridot.

Boss Lady Tip: Many of these retailers sell great looking jewelry, but the metals are not waterproof and even the oils in your skin might dull them over time. I find that a light coating of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Spray does wonders for extending the life of your non-precious metal jewelry.

Q: What are popular stores or places that carry stylish and functional accessories at reasonable prices?

Lisa: Here are my top favorites:

RocksBox! This is a relatively new find of mine, but it's great for stylish ladies on a budget. RocksBox provides a genius new subscription program that allows you to borrow three pieces of gorgeous jewelry each month, which you can then exchange at any time for three new pieces of jewelry.

If you'd prefer to purchase items instead of "borrow" them, try Purple Peridot.

Boss Lady Tip: Many of these retailers sell great looking jewelry, but the metals are not waterproof and even the oils in your skin might dull them over time. I find that a light coating of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Spray does wonders for extending the life of your non-precious metal jewelry.

Q: What are popular stores or places that carry stylish and functional accessories at reasonable prices?

Lisa: Here are my top favorites:

RocksBox! This is a relatively new find of mine, but it's great for stylish ladies on a budget. RocksBox provides a genius new subscription program that allows you to borrow three pieces of gorgeous jewelry each month, which you can then exchange at any time for three new pieces of jewelry.

If you'd prefer to purchase items instead of "borrow" them, try Purple Peridot.

Boss Lady Tip: Many of these retailers sell great looking jewelry, but the metals are not waterproof and even the oils in your skin might dull them over time. I find that a light coating of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Spray does wonders for extending the life of your non-precious metal jewelry.

Q: What are popular stores or places that carry stylish and functional accessories at reasonable prices?

Lisa: Here are my top favorites:

RocksBox! This is a relatively new find of mine, but it's great for stylish ladies on a budget. RocksBox provides a genius new subscription program that allows you to borrow three pieces of gorgeous jewelry each month, which you can then exchange at any time for three new pieces of jewelry.

If you'd prefer to purchase items instead of "borrow" them, try Purple Peridot.

Boss Lady Tip: Many of these retailers sell great looking jewelry, but the metals are not waterproof and even the oils in your skin might dull them over time. I find that a light coating of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Spray does wonders for extending the life of your non-precious metal jewelry.

Related: Out of Reach Financial Goals

Q: What are popular stores or places that carry stylish and functional accessories at reasonable prices?

Lisa: Here are my top favorites:

RocksBox! This is a relatively new find of mine, but it's great for stylish ladies on a budget. RocksBox provides a genius new subscription program that allows you to borrow three pieces of gorgeous jewelry each month, which you can then exchange at any time for three new pieces of jewelry.

If you'd prefer to purchase items instead of "borrow" them, try Purple Peridot.

Boss Lady Tip: Many of these retailers sell great looking jewelry, but the metals are not waterproof and even the oils in your skin might dull them over time. I find that a light coating of Krylon Crystal Clear Acrylic Coating Spray does wonders for extending the life of your non-precious metal jewelry.

• The Dark Side of Financial Goal Setting
• Are Impulse Buys Sabotaging Your Budget?
• How Macroeconomics Can Help You Reach Your Financial Goals
• How to Create a Spending Plan for Frugal Living

Reviewed August 2021

About the Author

Bonnie is the CEO of American Capital Planning LLC, a boutique wealth management firm with nationally recognized expertise in divorce financial planning. She has worked with families as a Certified Financial Planner since 1992.