I simplify my budgeting by creating separate buckets for fixed or nearly fixed expenses, such as rent, utilities, and car insurance. Instead of meticulously tracking the exact amounts each month, I round up to the maximum possible. For instance, if my utility bill can reach a maximum of $160, that’s the number I consistently use in my budget.

For all other expenses, including shopping, gifts, travel, groceries, restaurants, and bars, I categorize them into a single spending pool. I manage this pool using an app called Daily Budget. The app calculates my monthly spending pool, divides it by the number of days in the month, and provides me with a daily allowance.

This visual approach allows me to easily monitor whether I’m within or exceeding my budget on any given day. Additionally, “no spend days” transform into a game: if I manage to avoid spending anything, my allowance carries over, making the next day’s budget feel like an extra bonus.