Personal budgets don’t help you save money — use this method instead

Salon - Apr 13th, 2025
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Dana Miranda, a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, proposes a novel approach to managing personal finances by replacing traditional budgeting with a 'money map.' Instead of tracking every dollar, the money map focuses on four key pillars: resources, commitments, goals, and spending. This tool allows individuals to assess their financial situation holistically, emphasizing financial freedom and the ability to make informed choices without the constraints of a restrictive budget.

The money map concept offers significant implications for how people approach financial planning. By recognizing all available resources, including income, assets, community support, and debt, individuals can make more strategic decisions about spending and saving. This shift away from traditional budgeting reflects broader changes in how people view money management, prioritizing personal values and financial flexibility over rigid spending plans. Miranda's perspective challenges conventional financial advice and aligns with a growing trend of personalized finance strategies.

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RATING

6.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article presents an interesting perspective on financial management by challenging the effectiveness of traditional budgeting and proposing a 'money map' as an alternative. It is clear, engaging, and relevant to a broad audience interested in personal finance. However, the article lacks balance, as it primarily presents one viewpoint without exploring alternative perspectives or providing empirical evidence to support its claims. The source quality is limited, with few authoritative references, and the transparency regarding methodology and potential conflicts of interest could be improved. Overall, the article offers valuable insights but would benefit from a more balanced presentation and stronger support from diverse sources.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article presents a novel perspective on financial management by suggesting that traditional budgeting may not be effective for everyone and proposes a 'money map' as an alternative. The claim that budgeting does not work for saving money aligns with some research that suggests budgeting can lead to cycles of restriction and splurging. However, this is a generalized statement and may not apply universally. The article also mentions that 80% of Americans have some form of debt, which is a verifiable statistic, but the specific source or study is not cited. The effectiveness of the 'money map' method is less empirically supported, as there is limited research on its efficacy compared to traditional budgeting methods. Overall, while the article's claims are plausible, they require further empirical support and specific source citations to enhance accuracy.

6
Balance

The article primarily presents one viewpoint: that traditional budgeting is not effective for everyone and that a 'money map' is a preferable alternative. This perspective is explored in depth, with detailed explanations of how to implement a money map. However, the article does not offer a balanced view by exploring potential benefits of traditional budgeting or presenting counterarguments. It would benefit from including perspectives from financial experts who support budgeting or alternative financial strategies. The lack of diverse viewpoints may lead to a biased presentation, emphasizing the author's method without acknowledging other valid approaches.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly explains the concept of a 'money map' as an alternative to traditional budgeting. The language is accessible, and the step-by-step guide to creating a money map is straightforward and easy to follow. The tone is neutral and informative, making the content easy to understand for a general audience. However, the article could improve clarity by providing definitions or explanations for terms like 'community support' and 'Yes Fund' for readers unfamiliar with these concepts.

5
Source quality

The article lacks explicit citations from authoritative sources to support its claims. While the author, Dana Miranda, is presented as a Certified Educator in Personal Finance, the article would benefit from referencing studies, expert opinions, or data to substantiate claims about budgeting's inefficacy and the prevalence of debt. The absence of diverse and authoritative sources somewhat undermines the reliability of the information presented. Including a wider range of sources, such as financial studies or expert interviews, would enhance the article's credibility.

6
Transparency

The article is transparent about the author's credentials and her perspective on financial management. However, it lacks transparency in terms of the evidence and methodology behind the claims made. The article does not disclose the specific studies or data sources that support its arguments about budgeting and debt. Additionally, while the author promotes her book and financial strategy, potential conflicts of interest are not addressed, such as whether the promotion of the 'money map' is linked to personal or financial gain.

Sources

  1. https://time.com/7202620/budgeting-doesnt-work-dieting-essay/
  2. https://codinguy.net/index.php?post%2F2025%2F01%2F03%2FWelcome-to-Dotclear%21
  3. https://www.healthyrich.co/p/how-to-manage-your-money
  4. https://cinemovel.tv/sic/2020/sport-e-mafia-nel-tennis/
  5. https://momanddadmoney.com/keeping-budget-vs-tracking-spending/