Reclaim your Power! Budgeting as Experiential Learning.
- chong Andelina
- Nov 11
- 4 min read
According to the recent news on CNA, Singapore is the fourth most expensive city globally for expats, 28th for locals. With the war, the costs of living have increased for many other nations too.
For many women, the word budget stirs mixed feelings. It can feel like a restriction, a reminder of what we can’t do, or a guilt trip about what we should have done differently.
But what if budgeting isn’t about restriction at all? What if it’s actually a form of experiential learning — a way to understand ourselves, experiment with choices, and build confidence through lived experience?
Over the years. Whenever, I see any interesting budget challenge online, I would challenge myself. I have a fluid mindset towards money. Depending on the situation, I can tighten or loosen the budget whenever it’s required. Overtime budgeting becomes second nature.
Of course, there are days that I felt that the budget challenge made me feel bad and I decided to terminate the experiment. The good news is that one has the autonomony to terminate the experiment anytime.
1. Moving from Judgement to Curiosity
Instead of trying to get it “right” from the start, experiential learning invites us to explore. It’s about taking small actions, seeing what unfolds, and learning from the process itself.
Budgeting works the same way. It’s not about getting it “right” on the first try — it’s about noticing patterns, experimenting with new choices, and adjusting as we go.
For example, when you track your spending for the first time, you might notice that a large portion goes to “convenience” — grab-and-go meals, spontaneous online buys, or taxis after late meetings.
Instead of judging yourself, approach it with curiosity: What need was I meeting? Comfort? Etc . And insight is where change begins.
When you start seeing budgeting as a reflective practice — not a test of discipline — you begin to reclaim agency over your money story.
2. Experimentation Builds Emotional Mastery
I used to think that skin care products must be high end brands in order to be effective but when I started experimenting with some drug store brands, I realised they are equally effective.I felt uncomfortable to use drugstore brand skincare initially. I would pilot a mini experiment to switch over 1 skincare product to a drugstore brand. Some works and some didn't.
I would subsequently reflected on my learnings over time. Now, I used a mixture of drug store and high-end skincare which works for my skin type.
I can then redirect the extra funds to other causes that reasonate with me. It could be the dream family holiday, indulgent self-care ritual, investment etc which YOU desire.
In other experiments, I learnt there were multiple uses for certain household items. I also learnt about new apps which can help to manage dining and household expenses.
This small change taught me that strategic savings aren't about deprivation—they're about deciding where my money truly belongs.
That awareness strengthens your decision-making muscles. You begin to see that every financial decision carries emotional data — about your needs, values.
And with practice, emotional mastery grows. You become less reactive, more grounded. You no longer fear looking at your bank balance — because it’s no longer a judgment, but a feedback tool for your growth.
For eg: This week, you may want to test what happens when u only buy coffee on Tuesdays and Thursdays. What is the emotional cost? What is the time saving? What else emerges?
Budgeting experiments work best when you have some breathing space. When money feels tight, your responses are often driven by stress rather than learning—and that’s completely human. In those moments, the priority is stabilising the essentials, not pushing yourself to test new systems.
3. Reframing Setbacks as Lessons
In experiential learning, “mistakes” are data points, not failures. The same principle applies to budgeting. Overspent one month? That’s valuable information. You’ve may have just discovered a boundary, or a trigger that influences your financial behaviour.
For instance, maybe an unexpected spending spree followed a stressful work week. Instead of punishing yourself, pause and reflect: What emotion was I trying to soothe?
From there, you can design a new experiment — perhaps redirecting that emotion into movement, journaling, or a lower-cost self-care ritual etc
When you treat money management as a cycle of learning, you build resilience. You start seeing each choice as feedback, not a verdict.
That’s empowerment in action — not perfection, but progress grounded in awareness.
The power of reflection. This approach centers on relationship: your relationship with money, time, and self.
Through reflection, you begin to notice your growth. You start celebrating small wins — like saying “no” to something that didn’t serve you, or choosing to save toward something that genuinely excites you.
Over time, this practice nurtures self-trust. And self-trust is the foundation of financial empowerment.
Budgeting, at its heart, — it’s about coming back to yourself. Each spending choice tells a story about what you value, fear, or desire.
So, as you plan your next month, treat your budget like a learning lab. Observe, experiment, and reflect. Celebrate your insights as much as your numbers.
Because when you learn through experience, you turn budgeting into a practice of self-awareness —you rise in confidence, clarity, and choice.
What is one experiment you would like to try in the near future?
Ready for change? If you want personalized guidance on gaining insights into your unique money story and blind spots. Let's schedule a complimentary 30-minute call to see how we can work together
# Growth mindset # Rewrite money story # Female empowerment
References:
Passarelli, A., & Kolb, D. A. (2021) describe how cycles of reflection in experiential learning lead to behavioral changes and deeper self-awareness.
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