<prompt> Human: Hi all! 27 F here. Basically I have real issues with keeping to my budget. I also have a feeling that the budgets I create arent actually realistic.I have a little less than 24,000 in school loan debt and maybe 1000 in credit card debt. Savings wise, I only have about 3000. My car is paid off, my rent is extremely cheap 100month, and I make anywhere from 19-22hr depending on the job currently working 2 different seasonal jobs. I would really love to live a debt free life, or at least be debt free before purchasing a house.My problem is that I am a impulse buyer. And probably use retail therapy more than I ought to. I recognize these same problems only much worse in my mother, and really dont want to end up like her. I use my cheap rent as an excuse and feel that money isnt everything and I dont like to miss out on fun experiences I travel alot. Wheres the balance?Should I go to a financial adviser? I dont want to fuck up my future...Any tips would be greatly appreciated.  <response>: Try the envelope method. You can do it with actual envelopes and cash, or with judicious use of a budget. Create a budget that tells you how much you can spend in each category. Give yourself a fun category, give yourself an eating out category because you need to be realistic. But once that money is gone, its GONE. No borrowing money from your grocery or debt payment envelope. Make sure that you budget your money to expenses and debt first, your fun money account can only be funded when everything else including your CC is paid up. 