Firstly, we must know all fingers are not equal; what works for me, might not work for another. We should all do what works for us.
With that being said, I'll talk on the factors i consider when making my budget.
Firstly, is to-do list. Oh yes. My to do list contains tasks to be carried out as well as items I plan to get. And trust me, this thing I do has helped me a great deal.
I make a list before every pay I get so as not to buy unnecessarily.
Secondly, as an avid lover of online shopping that I am, I ensure to shop whenever I have little or no funds. What I do, is that I bookmark all the items I fancy and put them in a makeshift cart(my e-commerce site allows that) and simply purchase whenever I get the cash.
That is to say, whenever I plan my budget, factors i consider is my cashflow influx; how far is my next payday is and how much job can I get done to replace what will be going out of my account.
Next, I consider paramountcy. Yes. Every thing my budget is based on, is on the basis of paramountcy. It's particularly hard to follow this rule, but once I remember how hard I work to earn, it becomes easy peasy. I know how hard it is for most people my age to keep to buying essentials, not frivolities. But I thank goodness my level of self-control is commendable; people have told me this.
Next on the list, is season of the year, because of course, what I'll spend on a March will be different from what I'll spend on a December for obvious reasons. I'm not always tight-handed with my budget on festive seasons, I mean who does?
My birthdays inclusive. I might not be a freak for birthdays, but I surely ensure to give myself speciality treats on every August 9th. If not for anything, for celebration of all my efforts and achievements, but most importantly, for the joy of a new age.