This is complicated. Because while I do budget, I also don't. The realities of life are too complex to plan for the way I'd like. So, I budget in a more quali

This is complicated. Because while I do budget, I also don't. The realities of life are too complex to plan for the way I'd like. So, I budget in a more qualitative way: "We should really try our hardest to spend below X but we shouldn't care about the specific allocation as much" There's always something that comes along and fucks it up so why bother. If we feel we don't have enough money the solution is to try to make more money so we can stick to our qualititative, high level strategy. If I was in a position where I needed to track everything that would be an indicator I'm either mentally unwell or we are not bringing in enough to live. Granular budgeting would be counter-productive to our goals. Edit: I will add that I think the above "works" if you are trying to keep the gap within "some percentage of your income". If you can swing a few hundred bucks without a huge issue from month to month and can shoulder the odd vet visit or car problem, it's fine. If your swings are thousands of dollars or you can't shoulder an unexpected expense, that would be how I'd classify it as an income problem and not a budget problem. I don't think budgeting can fix that. TLDR: I prefer macro budgeting - micro budgeting would mean income stream problem, relationship problem, mental problem.