Forget spreadsheets that take hours. Use one page, three buckets, and two automations.
The 3 Buckets
- Needs (50–60%) — housing, transport, food, utilities.
- Growth (20–30%) — savings, investments, debt payoff.
- Wants (10–20%) — fun money without guilt.
Two Automations
- Pay yourself first: automatic transfer day after payday into savings/investments.
- Bill autopay: prevent late fees + mental load.
Budget Planner (Undated)
Monthly spreads + expense trackers.
Atomic HabitsTie money routines to daily triggers.
Sticking Points & Fixes
- Irregular income? Base buckets on your 3-month average.
- Unexpected bills? Keep a small buffer (mini-emergency fund).
- Impulse buys? 24-hour rule for anything over R500.
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