How Do You Budget?

So recently I’ve been really focusing on budget. I budget for our normal expenses (house, utilities, cars, gas, etc.) fairly well. I make sure all the bills are paid on time and there’s still money left over for food and what not. I’ve been able to make sure we even have extra spending money so if there is something we really want, we don’t really need to think about it. Going off that, my Author life is starting to need a budget.

Since deciding to make this into a business instead of a “hobby” I’ve had to invest more money into it that I have in the past. Ordering more swag for VIP bags, specialty items foe events, and not to mention books. Book prices have just increased, and take like 30 years to get here it seems. For my next signing there are authors doing a special “charm” event for the VIPs. We are helping those VIPs build a beautiful charm bracelet. Originally there were only to be 500 VIPs (it’s a 2 day event. Usually there are only like 100 for an event). I ordered enough charms for the 500 VIPs and the 83 authors that are participating so that they can have a bracelet too. Today (little over 2 months until the event), we are told there are now going to be 550 VIPs. Now I’m sure you’re like, “you still have 2 months!” BUT I’ve already spent $100s on the charms as is, plus hours of putting them together. I’m not made of money. I don’t have a shit ton of disposable income. While I’m all for more readers coming to the event, I’m not for last minute changes like this. And yes, 2 months in author world is last minute.

Some of the people for the “charm” event are saying to not increase past the 500. Have it be a first come-first sever kind of thing. It is a good idea for people that are really really strapped for money and investing in this event. I’m about to be one of them. Then my mom’s voice pops into my head (she passed in November 2020). She would say, “That makes you look bad because you told people that VIPs would get a bracelet. It’s not their fault the numbers changed.” And she would be right. If I was one of the VIPs and I didn’t get a bracelet after all these authors talked about it being basically the only way to get this exclusive swag, I’d be pretty pissed. I wouldn’t trust the event or the authors that were part of it. My ADHD/anxiety/depression would make me mad and even if I knew in my heart that they did what they could, I’d feel jilted. So, I’m going to scrounge up more money so that everyone gets a charm.

How would you handle this situation? How would you make sure to budget for it in the future? Would you stick to the original plan, or do my mom’s words ring true?

P.S.- I hate money…..