The Narratives – Mohamed Miah

Write about your approach to budgeting.

I could sit here and pretend I’m some financial mastermind, but let’s be real—I’m not the saver in my household. That title belongs to my wife. She’s the one who makes sure we have enough tucked away for emergencies, the future, and all the sensible things in life. Me? I’m the impulse spender, the one who wants to make everyone happy, whether it’s through gifts, food, or just saying, “Don’t worry, I’ve got it.”

And that’s the thing—I don’t budget in the traditional sense. I don’t sit down with a spreadsheet, categorise expenses, or obsess over every penny. My approach to money is emotion-driven. I see it as something to use, to experience, to give, rather than just hoard in an account.

Does this mean I make questionable financial decisions? Absolutely.

But does it also mean I’ve never let my family feel like they’re missing out? Yes. And that matters to me.

Money is Meant to Be Used

I don’t mean recklessly blowing it all on nonsense (although I’ve been guilty of that too). What I mean is that I prioritise people over pounds. If someone needs help, I’ll help. If my kids want something within reason, I’ll try to get it. If there’s a moment to be made special—be it Eid, a birthday, or just an ordinary Tuesday—I’m willing to spend to make it happen.

Because what’s the point of having money if you don’t use it to create joy?

The Realist in the Relationship

The thing is, while I might be impulsive, I’m not completely reckless. I know there’s always someone in the family who has to be the saver, and in our case, that’s my wife. She balances me out. While I’m thinking about today, she’s thinking about tomorrow. It used to frustrate me when she’d question some of my spending (“Do we really need another tech gadget?”), but now I appreciate it. If it weren’t for her, I’d probably still be living paycheck to paycheck, wondering where all my money went.

So, in a way, my approach to budgeting is outsourcing it to my wife. She saves, I spend, and somehow, we don’t end up in financial ruin. Teamwork.

The Guilt Factor

I’ll be honest—there are times when I look at my spending habits and think, I should probably rein this in. I’ve had moments where I’ve bought something on impulse—whether it’s clothes, tech, or some random thing I convinced myself I needed—only to feel that little sting of regret later.

And yet, that’s who I am. I like nice things, I like giving, and I like seeing people happy. My budgeting style isn’t about strict rules—it’s about knowing that money is fluid. Some months I’ll spend more, some months I’ll be more careful. I don’t beat myself up over it anymore.

If I Had to Give Advice (Which I Probably Shouldn’t)

I’m not in a position to tell anyone how to budget (seriously, take financial advice from someone else). But what I have learned over the years is this,

• If you’re like me (a spender), find a saver. Marry one if you can. It’s life-saving.

• Make sure bills are covered first. No matter how impulsive I am, I never mess around with essentials—mortgage, food, utilities come first.

• Set an unofficial limit. I don’t budget per se, but I do have an inner voice (or my wife’s voice in my head) that tells me when I’m about to go too far. Sometimes I listen. Sometimes I pretend I didn’t hear it.

• If you’re going to splurge, do it on memories. I’ve wasted money on things I’ve forgotten about, but I’ve never regretted spending on experiences with my family.

Final Thought A Work in Progress

I don’t think I’ll ever be the ‘budgeting type’. It’s just not in me. But I’m learning to be more aware. I still spend, still indulge, still say “Don’t worry, I’ll sort it” far too often—but I also recognise the importance of balance.

And for me, that balance isn’t about strict financial planning—it’s about having someone in my corner who makes sure we don’t fall off the edge.

So, to all the savers out there—thank you. And to all my fellow spenders—good luck.