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I remember when I realized my mindset had shifted. I was fifteen years old when my parents had me open my first checking account, which meant I had to keep a budget. Note: This is not when I developed a healthy money mindset. Far from it! I actually hated having to sit down and think of every little thing I may need to spend money on a month in advance. I also hated having to sometimes tell myself no to shopping. (Spending money has basically been my spiritual gift even from a young age.)

But I did start to realize I’m really good at telling my money where to go. And if I could live within the boundaries of the budget, I could still spend money on things I wanted along the way.

Then, a few years into our marriage, my husband, Winston, and I took a dream vacation to Miami. Winston planned all the details and told me he didn’t even want me to think about the budget. He wanted me to feel free to order whatever treats I wanted and shop to my heart’s content! Ah-mazing, right? I mean, he was asking me to live in my strengths (praise hands emoji)!

But here’s what happened: I actually didn’t like being in the dark about our money. I didn’t feel relaxed about my spending at all. In fact, I begged Winston to let me see the vacation budget because knowing the limit was the only way I could truly enjoy it.

That’s when I realized that, lo and behold, after years of consistently doing a budget, my money mindset had completely changed! Because over time, and through healthy money habits, I learned that a budget doesn’t limit my freedom—it gives me freedom.

We’re not all wired the same, so forcing yourself to do a monthly budget might not be what changes your mindset. (But you need to do it, anyway! It’s vital for your financial health!