How to budget when spending is variable by month?

General
1

Hello,

In the past, I’ve tried making a budget but always had trouble (in part, ADHD). I can settle on an amount or range for things like bills, auto monthly payments. But I’m having trouble creating budget for things that vary greatly in spending month by month such as credit cards or groceries. Some months by CC bill will be $50, $190 and then the next month it can be $800-1200. Same with groceries - one month I can survive on rice, lentils, veggies and my spending will be lower but the next month, I’ll have more ‘cravings?’ and will buy more supplies to cook more varied and complex dishes. How do I account and budget specifically around these situations?

Other than that, anything specially people with ADHD have found to be helpful in managing money?

Thank you for your patience in going through this post. I am trying to learn and would love any and all advice or suggestions.

2

Get a budgeting app and find a middle ground. If rice and beans groceries only cost you 200$ a month maybe give yourself 300/400 a month for groceries so you have some fluff. Also try your best to use delayed gratification, I also have ADHD so I get what you mean about splurge hobby purchases. I like to wait at least 3 months before I buy anything hobby related so I don’t regret it.

3

Review your last 3 months of spending, average by category, and adjust your budget accordingly. Don’t cut too much too fast

4

Do not try to cut your spending in half right away. It will be unsustainable. " Yes, even if you can eventually get there, still do it gradually.

5

Live on last month’s income. Transfer earnings to a HYSA, then move funds for bills and expenses monthly

6

@RIH6 This is exactly what I do as well. I’m also primarily self employed with huge swings in income.

I use credit primarily for gas and groceries, as they have the highest rewards on my card. I have a line item on my budget for my credit cards, however that’s only for the extra I intend to pay if I am carrying a balance.

Otherwise, my CC spending gets counted against gas or groceries on the budget, or in the off chance it’s for something like auto repair or a splurge, it gets counted against that.

Then I just pay the bill right out of my HYSA. So in a way, it’s like a lump sum grocery payment each month vs credit card.

7

Remember, too, that your credit card bill isn’t a budget item. It’s what you’re using your credit card to pay for that should be in your budget. For categories like groceries I like to plan for the max average spending… anything under that leaves me extra to roll over to the next month.