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Besides the specter of having to pay the IRS by April 15th, another thought rears its ugly head during the tax season. Just where did all that money you made go? Sure, you can blame the government and higher prices, but there is a nagging feeling that you might be overspending. So you get out all your paperwork, fire up Quicken and try to figure out where the money has gone. Then you diligently scratch out a budget for the next year, cutting expenses in every category so you can save some money this year. At the end, you are frequently depressed. It just doesn't seem possible to do.

I've come to believe that we are going about the budget process in a self-defeating manner. Rather than using money to support our dreams and values, we subvert them in an effort to repeat the money mistakes we've made in the past. In this article, I'll tell you about an approach that allows you to support your values with your budget.

The first part is to determine your values -- what's important to you. These are personal values, not those of your mother, the school system or your town mayor. Values can be anything from having beauty around you to supporting others in their lives. It truly depends on what you feel is important. If you are doing an activity which comes easily and brings you great joy; something you can lose yourself in for hours, you are probably doing something that supports your values.

The next step is to determine what you would like to do in the coming year to support your values. For example, if learning is an important value to you, taking a course a local college, taking up a new musical instrument, or traveling to someplace new might all be activities to support that value. If having a deep spiritual life is important, you may consider going on a weekend retreat or participating in a church study group. Determine the top one or two goals for the year and note the value it supports.

Next, fill in the following chart with the percentage of your income that you would like to spend on this and other categories in your life. This is an idealized budget -- one that will support you to live a life most that will bring joy and harmony.

Budget Categoryand Budget Percent
Goal for this year
Savings
Charity
Rent/Mortgage
Food
Clothing
Auto Expenses
Utilities
Medical Expenses
Vacation
Meals and Entertainment
Education Expenses
Other Expenses

Now, go back and see what you did last year and fill in the chart showing how you are spending your money right now.

Budget Categoryand Budget Percent
Goal for this year
Savings
Charity
Rent/Mortgage
Food
Clothing
Auto Expenses
Utilities
Medical Expenses
Vacation
Meals and Entertainment
Education Expenses
Other Expenses

There's probably a difference between where you want to be and where you are right now! Don't be overwhelmed. Just pick one area which you want to change. Meals and Entertainment expenses too high? Decide how you can reduce them. Perhaps rent an older movie at the video store and have a popcorn night at home. Have a neighborhood potluck. Take a walk instead of going out for a glass of wine to reduce stress. Better yet, identify the source of the stress and start doing something to change it! By putting some money and effort towards the goal that supports your values, you'll feel more joy and peace in your life. You'll begin to live in true integrity, where your thoughts, feelings and actions are aligned to produce a cohesive whole.

Financial control is just a part of what I consider Basis Retirement Pre-Planning. If you learn to have money support you, rather than living in fear of finance, you will prepare for a retirement life of joy.

Casey Dawes, owner of Radical Retirement, LLC, believes that traditional, boring retirement is gone and our retirement planning should include planning for a vigorous, happy, purposeful life! Life planning begins well before a retirement date. To learn more, go to http://www.RadicalRetirement.com.