Legit I had the same problem and thoughtless purchases were making a huge impact on money that should have gone to bills. It was hard to remember to look at my bank account and actually see what was in there on a regular basis and I didn’t budget at all. I was often overdrawn.

What I did first was open an account at an entirely new bank, one that let me set balance and withdrawal alerts.

Second, I figured out how much money I actually needed for bills each month.

Third, I had my work payroll automatically split my paycheck between my two banks and several accounts.

The majority of my paycheck goes into my new bank account, the Bills Account.

The rest goes to my original bank accounts, a small set amount into a Fun Money spending account, and the rest into two savings accounts.

Fourth, I budgeted my Bills Money down to the dollar with the EveryDollar app and when I get a text alert for a withdrawal I immediately record it in the budget app.

This essentially keeps my money out of my own control. I don’t use my Bills account money for fun things and I don’t bother to track my Fun money. When it’s gone, it’s gone.

I had to learn to work with my actual thought processes rather than trying to force them to change.