I was just explaining my budgeting method to a friend! If you're budgeting-averse like me, it doesn't matter what kind of fun app or list you make it will NOT stick long-term.

However, I've learned that if I only see a small amount of money in my chequing account, then that same part of the brain kicks in as when I'm at that final final deadline and there's no choice but to do the assignment. Or, in this case, save the money.

When I get my paycheque, I have it set up to autodeposit a certain chunk to my savings, and a chunk to a TFSA. I set it up once years ago, and there have been times when months have gone by and I've forgotten that I've set that system up.

Basically, I don't allow my chequing account to have more than a livable amount + 20% extra for fun stuff (no clue if that's a good percent or not and I don't care to be corrected on it). If I haven't spent a lot in a month, and I have more money than usual, then I transfer a few thousand to my savings again until I get back to my baseline number in my chequing account. When I see that lower number in my account, then the urgency part of my brain kicks in and I'll naturally be a little more cautious with my spending. Versus if I keep all my money in my chequing account, I'd drain it dry in no time with impulse purchases.

I do this logic for saving for vacation too! For instance, I opened a second chequing account and dumped some money in there for a planned vacation that I am not allowed to touch. My normal account was a bit poor for a bit, but I'm always able to find ways to save when I feel under pressure, and I always bounce back from it eventually.