A Magical Hack for Making Your Spending Plan Fun (and Effective)

Money management can feel overwhelming at times.

So many categories, so many choices, and often a nagging sense that you’re either “doing it wrong” or not disciplined enough.

But what if managing your money could feel magical, playful, and deeply intentional?

Lately, I’ve been practicing a technique in my own life that I’ve come to love.

It comes from a couple of money mentors of mine I meet with regularly, and they helped me come up with it.

It reduces overwhelm, gamifies the process, and turns money management into a practice of self-respect.

When you manage your money with clarity and joy, you’re sending a powerful signal to both your subconscious mind and the Universe:

“I honor and value the money I have, and I am deserving of receiving more of it in my life.”

And this is exactly how savvy money management increases your earning power, because every dollar you honor multiplies your capacity to attract more.

The Money Archetypes: Spender & Saver

Two of the archetypes I often work with are:

  • The Spender → Loves beauty, experiences, travel, and the joy of money in fostering feelings of freedom, abundance and plentifulness.

  • The Saver → Finds comfort and security in holding, stacking, and preserving resources. Enjoys the feelings of safety, frugality and stability.

I’m naturally a spender (thank you, Taurus influences!), but I’ve strengthened my savings muscle through techniques like the one I’ll share with you today.

And here’s the secret: this hack works for both archetypes.

Spenders get the structure they need without feeling deprived, and savers get to add more joy and play to their natural discipline.

It shifts the mindset from spending OR saving to spending AND saving working hand in hand.

 
 

The 5-Step “Magical Spending Plan” Technique

Step 1: Pick Your Tricky Category

Choose the one spending category where you often go over your plan, feel guilty, or give up trying. Maybe it’s dining out, clothes, travel, or tech.

Step 2: Rename it With Intention & Fun

Language is powerful. Rename the category with a phrase that feels powerful, meaningful, or playful.

For example, instead of “Clothing & Beauty Treatments,” mine is now called “Discerning Adornment.” (Because I love adornment, but I also need to be discerning!)

A few playful alternatives:

  • Tech gadgets → “Keeping Up With the Future” or “Tools of Innovation”

  • Dining out → “Culinary Adventures” or “Yummy Rich Experiences”

  • Groceries → “Nourishing Sustenance” or “Healthy Food Choices”

  • Travel → “Adventures & Expansions” or “Global Retreats”

Step 3: Find Your True Average

Look back at the last 3 months (or 12 if you’re advanced!) to find your real average spending in this category. Awareness is power.

Step 4: Set a Spacious Plan

Instead of shrinking the budget out of guilt, give it a healthy, intentional number.

Acknowledge that you value this area and allow it space in your plan.

Step 5: Gamify the Magic

Track diligently for this one category.

At the end of the month, if you spend less than your plan, split the leftover:

50% rolls over to next month (growing abundance in that category).

50% goes into savings (either building your Prudent Reserve or a Needs & Desires Fund).

Over time, you may actually want to spend less, just to see both your category pot and your savings grow.

That’s when the fun really kicks in!

Why This Works

  • Psychologically: It reframes money management from punishment to possibility.

  • Energetically: It aligns you with more prosperity, signaling that you trust yourself with money and can handle even more.

  • Practically: It balances freedom and discipline, honoring both spending and saving.

This is one of the mini money hacks that keeps my spender side happy while steadily building my wealth.

Whether you’re a spender, saver, or somewhere in between, I invite you to try this and let money become your ally in play, purpose, and prosperity.

Your Turn: What category will you rename and reframe this month?

Bonus Gift for You

To make this practice even more powerful, I’ve recorded a short visualization to support you in weaving clarity, joy, and intention into your spending plan. Think of it as a guided reset for your financial energy, helping you anchor the playfulness and prosperity you want to experience.

You can try it right now as a gift from me.

Joetta Johnson