Comments on: Are You a Macro or Micro Personal Finance Person?

By: CreditShout

CreditShout — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 18:15:00 +0000

I think I am a bit of both. Though I need to look at my day to day expenses, I am more concerned with my overall spending and saving habits. I haven’t thought of either of these terms since 12th grade economics.

By: Kim @ Money and Risk

Kim @ Money and Risk — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 21:06:35 +0000

I am both. I think that to be successful you need to be both.

Macro allows you to plan and live life to the fullest.

Micro makes sure that you understand what you are doing on the day to day.

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:56:01 +0000

I have tried to mircomanage down to the penny, and it just doesn’t provide enough flexibility to me. I think I’m more of a macro person.

By: Doug Warshauer

Doug Warshauer — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:30:38 +0000

I think I lean toward the macro, in that I think the overall budget allows me to see every expense in context. Without counting and categorizing my expenses, there is no way to know whether my spending patterns reflect my actual priorities. The great thing about taking the macro look is that it helps you identify areas where you might be spending more than your realize.

Of course, once you make the macro plan, each decision needs to be made on a micro level. But those decisions are easier with the big picture in mind.

By: Squirrelers

Squirrelers — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 02:13:38 +0000

I think I’m more of a macro person, despite my interest in saving money at the individual transaction level. It’s probably a balance with me, but even with the litte things I tend to annualize opportunity costs. I have tried to mircomanage down to the penny, and it just doesn’t provide enough flexibility to me.

By: Bankruptcy Ben

Bankruptcy Ben — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 01:52:24 +0000

I’ve been a “micro” for most of my life however I’m recently moved in with my girlfriend and I’m noticing that this approach isn’t working. It’s easy to spend a few extra $ here and there so i’m about to switch my style.

By: Billy

Billy — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:34:43 +0000

I’m a micro person. Though I never tried, I am pretty sure I would end up spending towards the limits that I set every month.

Looking at every expense works for me.

By: marci357

marci357 — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 16:17:17 +0000

I think there is a compromise between the two – or actually another way to look at the macro.

I tend to first, pay myself – which would fall more under micro.
But then I don’t worry about every little thing.
Instead I have a total-this-is-what-you-could-theoretically-spend… mentality.
A set amount I cannot go over – which would be macro….
However, it’s a game to see how much less than that I can spend, and whatever is not spent goes into savings.