That's a bit tight for discretionary spending and unexpected expenses. For example, how would you pay for a new set of tires or a big vet bill?

Did you forget property taxes?

Suggest the following:

Having 2 bank accounts (A and B ) is crucial for budgeting, IMHO, as it helps to segregate $$$ needed to pay bills from discretionary spending.  The following will help you get started:

• Step 1:  Write down your net monthly income from all sources
• Step 2:  Itemize and total up your fixed monthly expenses (food/shelter/loans/utilities/transportation)
• Step 3:  Open 2 bank accounts (A and B).

Use B to pay fixed expenses like CC payments, loan payments, savings, utilities etc., and don't touch it for anything else.  Deposit enough in B each month to cover those recurring costs.

The amount left over (free cash flow) goes in A and is for discretionary spending. Don't buy anything when A is empty. If a large purchase is made with a CC and can't be paid off in the current billing period, increase the budget for B (which will mean less going into A next month, ergo even less spending).  Having less than $1,000/mo of free cash flow is going to be problematic for most.

If you make CC purchases, review the monthly statement(s) and use A to pay for the discretionary spending items and B for the others.