Jim's Cafe - Thursday, October 30, 2025

[Angie]

Hello SF family, I hope this finds you managing life as well as can be.

It's the middle of the night for me and I'm looking at my expenses for the month and yikes!

so, my questions are budget related today

Do you keep a monthly budget?
Do you keep a running, daily total?
What keeps you on track with your budget?
Any tips for those budget challenged?

 

[JMG]

Hey Angie, thanks for posting a cafe for today. I’m ok I guess thanks, hope you’re well too.

Do you keep a monthly budget?
Do you keep a running, daily total?
What keeps you on track with your budget?
Any tips for those budget challenged?

1. Kinda-sorta, I check my balance often to make sure I don’t go too far off track. Been pretty easy over the last few weeks since I’ve been sick.

2. No, I don’t do daily budgeting, hopefully I’ll never need to either, lol.

3. Reminding myself of my monthly income and that I need to try to keep as much $ saved as I can.

4. Try to not completely deprive yourself of something “extra”. A thing that’s actually worked really well for me is if I am really wanting to get something, I just make sure it is something small and inexpensive. A lot of times with shopping it’s kinda more about just wanting to get “something new” at least for me it often is lol.

Other than that, it does just kinda take some practice and discipline.

Some tags: @Witty_Sarcasm @Lisa the Goatgirl @Baywasp @Kiwi2016 @Inastorm @cymbele @Lane @FFurry

 

[FFurry]

Thanks @Angie @JMG ! That's certainly a crucial and impactful topic. I generally adopt the policy of crossing bridges if or when I need to, which is perhaps not the best of long-term plans.
Do you keep a monthly budget? Not really 😂
Do you keep a running, daily total? Wish I did 😂
What keeps you on track with your budget? The fear of not having money to buy food and other things I need to live 😲
Any tips for those budget challenged? Yes, I could use some 😂

 

[Inastorm]

Thanks for opening the cafe @Angie and @JMG for tagging me.

Do you keep a monthly budget?
Yes, its basic and i sometimes go over. So ill have a £250 budget for food but i go over often.

Do you keep a running, daily total?
Yes, every penny gets written down

What keeps you on track with your budget?
I use money manager app on my phone

Any tips for those budget challenged?
The app is great, it adds up how much youve spent in different areas, like food, fuel etc.

 

[Witty_Sarcasm]

Thank you for opening the cafe @Angie and for the tag @JMG

Do you keep a monthly budget?
No, but I feel like I really should.

Do you keep a running, daily total?
No, but I'm sure it's too much.

What keeps you on track with your budget?
Running low on money

Any tips for those budget challenged?
Try to save a bit each month...I'm trying to do that anyway.

 

[seabird]

Hello café ☕️ 🎃✨🍁
I keep budget.
It's looked at weekly and when bills are paid.
Tip: Remove 10% of whatever amount was going to be spent that month. Transfer that to a savings or an investment which is not accessible by card or app. When done, eat a bowl of ice cream or your favourite treat.

 

[cymbele]

Good afternoon all!

Do you keep a monthly budget? No but i now have to since being retired (today). I had to keep one for my financial planner but I haven't kept up with it..
Do you keep a running, daily total? No. I think a daily total is too much. Too many bills are monthly and bi monthly so makes even a monthly budget is too variable.
What keeps you on track with your budget? I'm going to find out.
Any tips for those budget challenged?

Thanks for the Cafe @Angie

 

[KM76710]

Do you keep a monthly budget?

Mostly yes. Although there are always those small and sometimes not so small needs coming up. I also do treat myself from time to time, got to have some fun but without going crazy.

Do you keep a running, daily total?

Not daily, but monthly typically am on target.

What keeps you on track with your budget?

Limited use of credit, but I use checks for the expensive stuff and pay for much with cash easier to see it come and go.

Any tips for those budget challenged?