<prompt> Human: Well, as the title says.My initial plan was to basically every month pay for my expenses first. Afterwards, put 75 of the leftovers into savings leaving 25 as fun money. Is this a good idea considering the fact that it is widely advised to pay yourself first, essentially considering savings as an expense item that absolutely must be fulfilled? If I should do this instead consider savings as a mandatory expense, how do I go about doing this on a budget that is already really tight. My fear is underestimating my bills and not having enough because it went to my savings instead. And then have to use it since savings are for emergencies and not having enough food or electricity would kind of be one. Maybe I am just overthinking things and my fear is highly unlikely. This will be my first time living on my own graduating college soon, getting an apartment. I guess after the first few months when I have a good idea of my expenses, I can definitely add savings in as a mandatory expense instead of just allotting 75 of leftovers. Any advice would be appreciated!  <response>: I think you are overthinking it a bit, nothing wrong with putting some extra in savings, then spending it the next month on necessities. One trick I have used in the past is using an online account like cap one 360ally for my emergency fund, and keeping my fun money in my checking. Once you get your monthly expenses down, you can start adding savings as an expense and budget in that fashion. Its not worth having money in savings just to have it while you starve. 