<prompt> Human: I find that personal finance, much like health, is a balance of whats best versus what you can tolerate. Its even more complicated when sharing finances within a committed relationship, IMO, because you have to plan for BOTH peoples behavior.For example, I know that sometimes we eat out more than we should: Ill intend to make dinner, but life happens and Im exhausted and busy with work and so is my husband so next thing you know youve gotten take-out 3 times in one week. Or well plan a vacation and under-budget how much it really costs, which further impacts our ability to build up our savings. NO vacation is not an option, its important to our health and well-being - we try to do low cost with free flighthotel, etc. Were learning, since we dont take vacations too frequently, its something we try to improve every time!Another example is buying a new car because one prefers reliability over cost savings, even if it financially doesnt make sense or doesnt actually turn out that way, because new cars can have problems too - but its the IDEA that drives the behavior, or perhaps a bad experience where you are just tired of your old car having this and that wrong with it. Or, youll have a few good months of staying within budget but then something unexpected comes up and you get thrown off and dont pay enough attention and then end up spending MORE because youre already over budget?Have any of you surprised yourself when trying to apply best practices to your own personal finance? What lessons have you learned and how do you better plan for it? For me, its like trying to eat health and exercise: I try to set myself up for good behavior, and be realistic, but my behavior isnt as predictable as Id like it to be. Its hard to be a human! Im almost 40, so I feel like there is constant improvement, but its not easy.  <response>: I do plenty of things that people here might not like or approve of, but that doesnt matter. It fits in my plan. Cryptocurrency, eating at restaurants, watch collection, etc etc. The crux of personal finance is having a plan, like umichapman is saying. It might not be the most efficient plan, but just focus on having one. Most people dont plan their finances and dont bother until it is too late. 