How much should you keep in your account to finish the month peacefully?

Your bank balance is not a good indicator

The amount displayed in a bank account does not take into account:

• expenses already committed but not yet debited
• non-monthly charges
• variations in expenses throughout the month

It reflects what has not yet been spent, not what can be spent safely.

What a budget should really include

To be useful on a daily basis, a budget must take into account all financial flows, including:

• fixed monthly expenses (housing, subscriptions, loans)
• variable expenses (groceries, transportation, leisure)
• irregular expenses (insurance, maintenance, annual or exceptional fees)
• income received during the period

Without this comprehensive view, it is difficult to anticipate and save peacefully.

Change your reference point to make better decisions

Rather than relying on the account balance, a more relevant reference point is to know the minimum amount to keep to cover all expected expenses until the next paycheck.

This reference point allows you to:

• immediately know if an expense is compatible with the budget
• identify periods when it is necessary to slow down
• visualize what can be saved as soon as income is received

A simpler and more stable approach

With a clear indicator that is regularly updated, budget management becomes more readable. Decisions are less stressful, trade-offs are faster, and savings become part of a sustainable approach.