A budget is a moral document

When I worked at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, they advertised their annual budgeting process with posters that said "A budget is a moral document" and had the time and date of the next budget meeting. I started budgeting when I was 18 and heading off to college. When I started looking at full-time jobs for after graduation, I called my mom one night and asked her to go through her budget with me line by line. We did, and I made estimates of how much money I should put where. I included everything -- haircuts, dentist, AAA membership, spending money, personal growth (like buying books). Everything. I also included donations that I make regularly, birthday presents, and christmas presents. I know what amount and percentage I pay in income tax, how much is taken out for my retirement account, and what I pay in health insurance for my partner that his mother reimburses for me.

My budget is something of a moral document -- it always has things like donations on it -- but if it's supposed to be a reflection of my morals, I'm not comfortable with the percentage that I spend on myself. When I got promoted two years ago and got a 60% raise, I thought I'd be able to put all of the extra money towards student loans. Then I decided I needed to live without a roommate for a while, so I spent a lot of money for a little while. Every time I got more money, I spent it -- I flew my mom to visit once, I travelled more than I could legitimately afford. I live in a much more affordable area now, paying less than half the rent I was paying a year ago. I commute more, but not that much more. Where did the other 60% go? What is my budget saying about me and how I live my life, if spare cash goes towards not having to cook at home rather than on my own financial stability or on donations or gifts or even travel to visit people? It's short-sighted.