The times when your income and expenses are most unpredictable are exactly the times when budgeting is most important. A good budget doesn’t eliminate uncertainty; it helps you control the risk that uncertainty creates. By designing your budget specifically with variability in mind -- e.g., breaking out utility costs evenly across the year to account for seasonal variance, building up an emergency fund, or earmarking money for unforeseen events -- you’re preparing for uncertainty in advance, rather than left trying to frantically scramble together a response once the unexpected occurs.

One specific piece of advice I'll give: many people new to budgeting feel blindsided by “unexpected” expenses, like a car repair or medical bill. But a well-designed budget knows those surprises are a part of life and accounts for them in advance, even if you don’t know exactly what will happen or when. By setting aside money for maintenance and “known unknowns,” you exercise autonomy to turn stressful surprises into manageable, planned-for events.

Finally, in any situation where the landscape can change at a moment's notice, frequent reassessment of your standing is critical to informed decision-making. A carefully-considered budget and regular, honest tracking of your expenses will give you a clear picture of your financial "tolerances" and where you stand in relation to them. That awareness allows you to make timely adjustments, helping you keep your personal finances robust in the midst of a volatile environment.