Stock photo. The MiMi Clause, however, is very real.

I always start out very intentional with budgeting. I make a plan and by golly I am going to stick with it this time. No budging allowed. I am a resolute warrior on a mission to save my pocketbook.

And then one of the grands says, “Mimi…”

That’s it. That’s the whole turning point.

The budget doesn’t gently rearrange itself. It collapses. Suddenly there are snacks, craft supplies, an emergency stuffed animal situation, and something called “just this once” that appears repeatedly. I’ve come to accept that my spreadsheets operate under a Grandchildren Clause.

It’s not poor planning. It’s Mimi math.