I tried budgetting before and it overwhelmed me, I felt restricted and miserable being si anal about the exact amount to spend when many times I’m not sure how much it will cost no matter how I calculate something, I got it became more complicated then what it needed to be. Anyone else experienced something like this?
Your brain is a muscle. It takes effort and strain to do new things. You’re 100% feeling that.
You are learning and once the lightbulb clicks on, you’ll 100% feel better.
Take some breaks. Do a chunk at a time, financial literacy doesn’t happen over night.
It does happen to those who try. Keep it up mate!
I budget by paying myself first, then tracking spending weekly while leaving room for fun and surprises.
Budgeting needs to evolve with life stages; it requires consistency, much like building a gym habit.
@soundmind Currently experiencing this. I’d say I’m pretty financially responsible but until I made a budget and added everything I spent and etc, I realized that I’m going over budget nearly month after month. I started a budget two months ago and it’s getting better and better! First month was $256 saved, last month was $278 dollars I’m hoping for this month to be way over $300 saved!
Budgeting is just deciding where your money is going in advance of spending it. You could decide 99% of your money is going toward burritos!
If you add up your fixed expenses per month, subtract from your pay, and then spend that remaining amount on the other stuff, then great! You are budgeting. You don’t need specific categories.
@economist1 Set aside fixed monthly savings alongside retirement funds. Reframe budgeting as a spending plan, adjusting over time. Don’t stress if you overspend—note reasons.
I prefer a general budget with fixed and variable expenses, paying myself first, which feels less restrictive.
You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed by budgeting. Focus on what works for you, learn from mistakes, and build a healthy money relationship.
Track your spending for 3-6 months using an app to set realistic budget goals and avoid failure.
I focus on “don’t do anything stupid” with budgeting and wait to buy what I really want without compromise.