Budgets can be your friend when it comes to saving and planning for retirement. However, they can be very personal things. I recently read a blog post that compared one’s personal budget to their internet search history. In other words, it’s a very private matter. You’re budget can tell a lot about what you prioritize in life and what matters most to you. A budget can also reflect deficiencies in your understanding of finances and can be a source of embarrassment for some. It sounds easy enough to write where and how you spend your money, but it can tough to share it with someone like a financial planner or wealth manager. If you aren’t sure whether your spending habits are good or don’t want to face criticism for some of the things you find important, then you may not be open to opening yourself up by sharing your budget. However, having a budget and what it represents is very important. Your budget is a reflection of both your current and future priorities and can help to guide you on your financial journey through life. What I am trying to get at with this blog post is to remind you that budgeting is important and that while it can be a very personal endeavor–one so personal that people may avoid doing it–it is also very important. If you haven’t already done so, you should strongly consider creating a budget, even if you only do it once and in your current point in life. Doing so will at least give you a sense of what you might need to work on and where your spending priorities lie. Also, don’t be afraid to share it with your wealth manager or financial advisor. So, have you created a budget before?