<prompt> Human: Im a Massage Therapist, and Im in college. Sometimes my paychecks are 1,500-1,700 and sometimes theyre 900; it just depends on the amount of business coming in during that season. It takes hours to calculate what to expect time that I dont have with school and work, but I can usually estimate within 200 dollars based on the amount of business I have. My question is, should I always base my budget around the 900-1000 paycheck range to be safe and just save the rest, or should find an average to base my budget around? Im just having a bit of trouble figuring it out and customizing everything on Mint when my income varies so heavily; especially since no one has ever really taught me how to budget other than giving me the whole save 10 percent and open up a ROTH speech. Any suggestions are absolutely welcome. Thanks!  <response>: Id go off the minimum and treat any extra as a bonus. If you can meet your monthly obligations on 900 then youre fine - if not you should build up some kind of cushion in a savings or checking account to draw on if you need it. 