Budgeting advice needed - where do I even start?

Budgeting

Hi everyone! I (30F) grew up at household with people that had no sense of fiscal discipline whatsoever. We’d go on elaborate trips and vacations just to have our power turned off shortly after our return because it hasn’t been paid for 6 months. I spent the majority of my adulthood blaming my bad spending habits on my upbringing, but it’s time to wake up and be accountable for my own actions.

My spending habits are not nearly as severe as those of my family were, I always make sure all bills are paid first, but we manage to save NOTHING. My husband and I have 2 children, joint bank account, and make about $120k combined in LCOL area. Once all bills are paid, we’re left with 4k (not including groceries which we usually spend about $800 on). I manage to spend every single cent, every month. I’m always ordering stuff off Amazon and Tiktok shop, getting takeouts, grocery delivery, restaurant outings, or taking day trips that cost $250+ at a time. It’s like I have no control - as long as I can afford it, I’m getting/doing it. I just bought the most expensive laundry detergent on the market because it “smells so nice”, and I currently have yet another stroller in my Amazon cart (I already have two) because it’s just “so much nicer than the ones I have”. This needs to stop.

I desperately need to learn how to properly budget and I’d like to put at least $500 into savings every month. Where and how do I even start?

Posted Jul 6, 2026, 1:13 PM UTC

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