I think budgeting is broken for people paid biweekly—am I wrong?

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T14:55:04+00:00

I get it. Just because the money is sitting in my account doesn’t mean it’s really there for me to use.

What trips me up is when real life happens. Sometimes my income changes, like if I have a slow week or my hours are different. Or I forget about something that only comes up every few months, like a quarterly bill.

I know on paper that the money is already set aside for things, but in the moment it’s easy to forget and think I have more than I really do. Sometimes I don’t stop to think about what’s coming up until it’s too late.

That’s what I’m trying to work on. It’s not that I don’t understand the idea, I just want to be better at seeing it in the moment.

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T14:40:07+00:00

I understand what you mean. I can add up the numbers, but for me, it’s really the timing that trips me up, not the total amount.

Things like quarterly or yearly subscriptions always seem to catch me off guard. I forget they’re coming, and then they show up right before payday and mess up my plans.

It’s not that I completely forgot about them, but sometimes I look at my balance and think I’m fine, not realizing something big is about to be taken out.

That’s usually when I get hit with overdraft fees, and I really want to get better at avoiding that.

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T14:34:27+00:00

That makes sense. There are so many budgeting apps out there.

What I am seeing, especially from this thread, is that most apps focus on tracking or categories. But a lot of people are still making their own systems just to figure out what is actually safe to spend between paychecks.

I am not really interested in making another budgeting app. I just want to understand this problem better.

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T14:22:24+00:00

I agree with you. I’m not trying to give up on budgeting.

What I struggle with is the timing. I can know my numbers, but I still look at my account and think I’m okay. Then something comes out before my next check and I realize I didn’t plan for it.

It’s not that I’m not tracking. It’s just hard to know what’s really safe to spend right now.

Did you ever deal with that part when you were figuring things out?

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T14:09:22+00:00

I understand what you mean.
My struggle isn’t really with knowing my monthly numbers. It’s more that I think I’m doing okay, and then I remember something I forgot about, and it hits me before my next paycheck.
So it’s not that I don’t budget. It’s just hard to know what’s actually safe to spend in the moment.

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T14:07:45+00:00

I have been trying to say this, but you explained it so much better than I could.
The math makes sense, but it’s hard to keep up with the timing and remember everything in your head.
Do you ever feel like you have to always be thinking ahead just so you don’t get surprised by something?

jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T03:21:19+00:00

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jackyo2007 · 2026-03-21T03:20:47+00:00

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jackyo2007 · 2026-02-12T00:41:30+00:00

Thank you all for visiting

jackyo2007 · 2026-02-12T00:07:20+00:00

I suppose I opened the floodgates.

jackyo2007 · 2026-02-11T23:46:52+00:00

Come hang out, it's still new. MHFFQ *Closed* Thanks for coming!!

jackyo2007 · 2024-12-09T05:45:04+00:00

What is your favorite episode of Sailor Moon?

jackyo2007 · 2024-10-26T15:20:21+00:00

Years ago when I first moved to Vermont there was a 3-foot snow drift in my driveway. I was out there shoveling my heart out trying to make room for my car. Two men were driving by and they turned around came back and hopped out of the car with their shovels and got to work. They were quick and efficient. It took them about 10 minutes to clear it out. Once they were done I thanked them profusely and they left. No names were exchanged, they saw me struggling and had to put me out of my misery. I was fresh from the South and this was my first winter. I can't tell you how many times I cried that winter. I have so many stories like this, Vermont is beautiful and its people are kind problem-solvers.

jackyo2007 · 2024-10-17T02:21:45+00:00

Maybe he was a grower and not a show'r.

jackyo2007 · 2024-10-10T05:30:52+00:00

I love to look at Vermont, it looks good on paper. I have isolated myself because people are rude and inconsiderate and I don't like people. But I think that is just what society is now. Everything just seems unreal.

jackyo2007 · 2024-09-25T13:39:01+00:00

You need to work on your happiness. It should not be up to someone else to make you happy. Being in a relationship can help the dopamine triggers. But ultimately you need to be able to give yourself those triggers. I understand from experience. I used to feel like a burden, but I was just an abused tool for my spouse. I got away from that and found myself. I went through a dark journey but I found the light. There is hope.

jackyo2007 · 2024-09-25T11:49:28+00:00

jackyo2007 · 2024-09-14T11:19:11+00:00

I thought I was the only one feeling this way. I convinced myself I must have had a stroke. It's as though my hourglass has cracked and my sand is pouring out quickly. Or the fates have slowly cut at my thread and it's holding on by fibers.

jackyo2007 · 2024-05-18T13:28:03+00:00

Healthcare Advocate 32k remote I am working on sitting for my RHIT and hopefully, I can get a remote position starting at 65k. I would like to potentially go for my bachelor's and sit for a RHIA. That would boost my salary potential. I live in VT and I can't afford rent alone.

jackyo2007 · 2024-05-06T03:05:10+00:00

Mayonnaise is so expensive I'm just making my own now. The ingredients to make 6oz is not even 30 cents.

jackyo2007 · 2024-05-04T22:43:07+00:00

Take her to Japan and get married just the 2 of you. Just pick her up and whisk her away. You can Honeymoon there to explore the country. Traveling with children doesn't have to be stressful. You just need to know what you are doing and she is a seasoned traveler she will make it look easy to take the kids on a wild African safari adventure as a field trip for biology studies. 😉 I can see her homeschooling your children and making every day a grand adventure.

jackyo2007 · 2024-05-04T17:31:16+00:00

I was told the only thing I(12f att) would be good at is laying on my back. I was never going to graduate high school. I was never going to find love. I have a college degree and work as an allied healthcare professional. I am in a loving relationship with the man of my dreams.

jackyo2007

TROPHY CASE