Why Traditional Budgeting Fails (And What Works Instead)
I've seen hundreds of detailed budgets that looked perfect on paper but fell apart within weeks. The problem isn't the math - it's that most budgeting methods fight against how humans actually think about money.
The budgets that stick share three characteristics: they're simple enough to maintain without constant effort, they align with personal values rather than arbitrary percentages, and they include flexibility for the unpredictable nature of real life.
Instead of tracking every rand, successful budgeters focus on three key numbers: fixed monthly costs, savings targets, and flexible spending limits. Everything else becomes noise that derails the process.