<prompt> Human: Each check is different; the difference between my smallest and largest check this year is 179. So Ive been logging my paychecks into a spreadsheet so that I can keep track of the averages: average check, average net income monthly, average hours. These logs go all the way back to 2012.I think mostly everything else I do with my money is okay. I have a small-ish emergency fund of 1000. My direct deposit sends money for bills into my checking account, along with 80 of pocket cash for myself which I take out of the ATM every Friday. The rest of the check goes straight to an online high-yield savings account, which currently contains 23,000 Im saving up for a house. The only thing I havent done, which I need to do is start a 401k.So given that most everything else is in order... Im just wondering if creating a budget around my average monthly income is an okay thing to do or if Im setting myself up for an unseen disaster in the future. Keep going with what works or should I get more precise?  <response>: If you can afford it, you are better off budgeting around your lowest paycheck. That way you can save up everything over that amount. 