We have all heard the saying “Pay Yourself First” when it comes to creating wealth and a budget. But more importantly than that is to allow for a little mad money for yourself and your spouse. The lack of a little fun money is the number one reason most budgets don’t work.

So, what is mad money and why is it so important when creating a budget. First of all, mad money is a certain amount of money that is set aside in the budget for yourself and your spouse. This money can be used by each party for whatever he or she chooses. For instance, if the budget does not allow for a month facial, the woman in the relationship could take her fun money and get a month facial if she so chooses.

If you don’t allow for a certain amount of mad money for you and your spouse soon resentment will start to set in. Each party will get very frustrated about having to stick to such a strict budget and not having any money for fun. Likewise, even if some money is allocated in the budget for fun, one of the partners may get tired of not being able to spend some money how he or she would like. This special money even allows you to save some money for a larger purchase you may want to make.

Even if money is extremely tight in your monthly budget, it is highly recommend to allow each spouse a small amount of mad money to help make the budget work. Everyone is more willing to save and track their spending if they are allowed a certain amount of mad money to spend how they wish.