Best way to work out what you have left each month?

enthusiasticsaver

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6663802/best-way-to-work-out-what-you-have-left-each-month

I think it very much depends on how much wriggle room you have or that is how it has been for us. I always used to do a monthly spreadsheet for budgeting and keep within each category. Since retiring we do not need to worry as much and our income comes in different times of the month so I am much looser with our spending.

A rough rule of thumb which has always worked for us though is keeping bills and direct debits money separate from spending money and putting money in savings as soon as we get paid. Also never anticipating salary or pension or to use payday as an excuse to go on a spending spree. We also use Starling for our main spending account which breaks down spending into categories automatically so I can see instantly if we are overspending.