<prompt> Human: Im trying to get my finances in proper order once and for all, and Im working on hammering down a solid budget. However, my credit card statements start and end in the middle of the month, usually around the 13th-15th while all of the budgeting tools out there go by calendar month. Im wondering what the best way is to stick to a monthly budget when your credit card statements dont align with the same timeline. Thanks!  <response>: If you treat your credit cards as debit cards by only using your credit cards to buy what you can already afford, then you can just treat your credit card purchases as immediate deductions from your checking account or whatever you use to pay your credit card bills every month, and you dont have to pay attention to your credit card bill at the middle of the month. That might make it easier for you to create a budget. 