Unplanned purchases are often seen as a threat to financial stability, but within reasonable limits they help maintain emotional comfort.
Financial advisor Olga Matveeva says that completely banning non-essential expenses increases psychological tension. Allocating a special part of the budget for small pleasures is more effective.
Simple formula for free budget: Income − Mandatory expenses − Savings = Free budget.
Signs that your spontaneous spending limit is correct:
- No need to cut mandatory payments after shopping.
- Savings remain intact.
- Internal psychological tension disappears.
Expenses vary by season: travel in summer, education in fall, gifts during holidays. Matveeva recommends reviewing the "joy budget" every few months.
