I've helped dozens of people set up their first budget, and the same 3 mistakes come up every single time.

1. Trying to track every single cent

You don't need 47 categories in a spreadsheet. Start with 3: needs, wants, savings. That's it. You can get detailed later — but detail kills momentum when you're starting out.

2. Setting a budget you'd never actually follow

If you love eating out, don't budget $0 for restaurants. You'll fail by week 2 and quit. A good budget accounts for reality, not some ideal version of yourself.

3. Not reviewing it weekly

A budget isn't a one-time thing. It's a 5-minute weekly check-in. Did I overshoot anywhere? Do I need to shift money around? That review is where the real learning happens.

If any of these hit home — I put together 3 simple guides that walk you through setting up a real, sustainable budget from scratch. No jargon, no fluff.