Here’s what works for me:
Do not associate pieces of income with particular expenses. Just add up all income for all sources and make a plan for what you’re going to do with all that money. Every month has irregular income from rebates, OT, tax refund etc, and every month has irregular expenses. It’s easier to add up all the incomes into one number and then decide what to do with that entire amount.
Write down the simple plan of how to spend your money because if it has more than a few items it’s hard for your brain to store it. Your brain should be used a) to think up creative ways to get the things you want with limited money and time and b) ways to make more money. Your brain is much less effective than paper at keeping track of lists.
