<prompt> Human: Like the title says, Im 21 years old. I work a very nice job, and I shouldnt struggle at any point. Sadly, I grew up without any idea how to handle money, and my mother juggled payday loans my entire childhood. I want to get past that.I bring home about 880 every two weeks. Im going to be moving into a new apartment with everything included for about 400. I own my car outright and my insurance is under 70 a month. As far as other bills, I have a couple of student loans. One is through a private company and it is 235 a month. The other ones are federal and so Im having those deferred. My phone comes to about 75 a month. My cableinternet bill will be gone with the new apartment, since everything is included. I also have a couple of credit cards and a line of credit with my bank.The total profile looks something like this:Take home in a month - with two paycheck months 1760Expenses:rentall living expenses - 400insurance on car - 70Phone - 75Student loan - 235Gas - 100I have no idea what I spend on food, I dont really pay any attention to my spending other than, oh crap, Im almost out of money!As far as debts go, Im not that bad off.Credit cardsCapital One: limit 1000, balance 822U.S. Bank: limit 500, balance 400Line of credit: limit 500, balance 443Student loansPrivate: 1500 paying 235 a month no interestFederal: 6049total debt - 9214I should be able to not worry about anything, but I spend money. The second I see it, I spend it. I just got a 400 bonus and spent it all Black Friday shopping. On myself.Does anyone have any tips, advice on how they overcame spending like a fool, or any tricks to make me think Im broke but not be broke?As far as retirement, I have an employer matched up to 5 401K that I put into every paycheck. Also, We have a pension program that Im automatically in.Assistant: You need a budget. Then you need to stick to your budget.Human: Well, yeah haha I completely get that. Ive never seen a budget followed in my life though so its tough for me. Its like telling someone to make sushi when theyve never made it. Yeah, I know what it looks like, and I know the end result but it takes some working out.  <response>: Its not difficult though. You did it in your post. The next step is determining unknowns food, entertainment by tracking for a month. Then you can see where money is going and where you need to cut back. 