A budget is not a cage. It is a mirror. It tells thee where thy values truly lie — not where thou claimest they lie. The Brother who refuses to budget is the Brother who refuses to look at himself.
The classic 50/30/20 rule: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings. This is the floor for the awakened. The serious Brother flips it to 50% savings/investments, 30% needs, 20% wants.
Track for 90 days. Categorize every dollar. The patterns that emerge will horrify and instruct thee. Most Brothers discover that 'small' recurring subscriptions are bleeding them of $200-500/month — the cost of an entire stock holding per year.
The Seal of the Chamber
What thou measurest, thou masterest.