we have a similar system in our household. Each month, my wife and I essentially give ourselves an "allowance" that goes into our own accounts (our main accoun

we have a similar system in our household. Each month, my wife and I essentially give ourselves an "allowance" that goes into our own accounts (our main account is joint). Then we put a budgeted amount into savings from the main account. Almost everything in the main account at that point is budgeted for planned expenses. Once our allowance amount is gone, we just wait until the next month. So far, it has helped us immensely in keeping our spending low. We still have the occasional lapse where we end up spending too munch every once in a while, but all in all, it has been a net positive since we started this. I'll give all the credit to my wife, who thought of it. I'm pretty horrible with money, myself.