We all know what a budget is—something we swear we’ll stick to, especially after overspending on coffee and impulse buys.
But have you ever thought about where the word budget even came from?
Surprisingly, it all started with a bag. A small one.
The word budget comes from the Old French bougette, which literally means “little bag.” Back in the day, this bag was used to carry coins—usually public funds for government spending. It was like a portable treasury.
When government officials opened this bougette to present financial plans, people began to associate the term with financial planning itself.
Eventually, bougette became budget—and now it’s not just about what’s in your bag, but what’s not.
So what’s in your budget bag?
Groceries? Rent? That one streaming service you forgot you signed up for?
Budgeting may not sound glamorous, but hey, it’s better than carrying all your money around in a purse hoping for the best.
Fun Fact
In the UK, when the government announces its annual financial plan, it’s still referred to as “The Budget” a nod to the old practice of presenting a literal bag filled with finance papers.
