I'm trying to set up a budget for next year, but honestly, every time I do this, I either overshoot or underestimate big time. Um, anyone got tips on how to keep it realistic without feeling totally restricted?
"every time I do this, I either overshoot or underestimate big time."
I definitely relate to this, budgeting accurately is tricky. One thing I've found helpful is reviewing my previous year's actual expenses first—seeing hard numbers helps ground expectations without feeling overly restrictive.
Looking back at past expenses definitely helps, but I still find myself caught off guard by unexpected costs—like when my water heater suddenly quit last winter. Maybe it's less about perfect accuracy and more about building in a comfortable buffer for surprises? Curious if others set aside a specific percentage or just wing it based on gut feeling...
