Forget spreadsheets with 47 categories. Here are three budgeting methods that real humans actually stick with.
50% Needs: Rent, groceries, utilities, transport, insurance. 30% Wants: Dining out, entertainment, subscriptions, hobbies. 20% Savings/Debt: Emergency fund, investments, extra debt payments. Simple, flexible, and easy to remember. The best starting framework for most people.
Scott Pape's system: separate bank accounts for Daily Expenses (60%), Splurge (10%), Smile (10%), and Fire Extinguisher (20%). Automate transfers on payday. If the Daily account runs out before payday, you've overspent. Physical separation of money is powerful psychology.
Get the Book →The simplest method. On payday, automatically transfer a fixed amount to savings/investments. Spend the rest however you want. No tracking, no guilt, no spreadsheets. If you save 20% automatically, the other 80% is guilt-free spending money.
Australia's best digital bank for budgeting. Automatic categorisation, savings "Savers" with round-ups, and beautiful spending insights. The app makes tracking spending almost enjoyable. No fees, great interest rate on savings.
Free Australian budgeting app that connects to all your bank accounts. See everything in one place. Set budgets by category and get alerts when you're close to limits. Open Banking integration means real-time data.
Sometimes the best tool is the simplest. A shared Google Sheet with monthly income and expenses gives you complete visibility. No app limitations, no subscription fees, and you can customise it however you want.
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