You might think budgeting is inherently easier for people who make more money. However, did you know that a fifth of all American families earning $150,000 or more live paycheck-to-paycheck?  

How you manage your money matters just as much as your take-home. Without a good budgeting strategy, you could be stuck in a paycheck-to-paycheck cycle no matter how much money you make. 

A smart budget helps you feel confident, clear, and in control. But we know it can be hard to get started, and even harder to stick to a budget. Everyone’s needs and habits are different and tend to change, so budgeting tools should be personalized and flexible. 

Let’s explore some practical budgeting strategies, learn how to choose the one that works for you, and discover how ZayZoon can help you along the way.

Start with your “why”

Before you build a budget, take a minute to consider your motivation:

• Saving for a big milestone, like a car, vacation, or house?
• Trying to get out of debt or improve your credit score?
• Hoping to reduce financial stress?
• Just want to be prepared for the unexpected?

Being clear about why you want to budget helps you stay focused and pick the method that makes the most sense. 

Educational tools for beginner budgeters 

If you're not sure how you interact with money or want more information on your specific financial habits, the Money Mindsets quiz can help. It's a free, psychology-backed quiz we created to help you make sense of your spending personality. The quiz pairs your results with tailored education and tools to help you save, spend, and budget based on your values, not someone else’s.

Another tool that can help you get familiar with the basics? ZayZoon’s free financial wellness courses. These courses, which can be accessed through our app on desktop or mobile, walk you through how to set up a budget, build credit, and more.

Flexible budgeting methods for every kind of spender 

1. The envelope method

The envelope method of budgeting asks you to break your income into spending categories like rent, gas, groceries, or eating out, and dedicate a set amount to each one.

It’s called the envelope method because people used to stuff physical envelopes full of cash for each spending category. But you can modernize it with budgeting apps like Monarch Money, which is available at 50% off for ZayZoon customers. 

Many banks also allow you to set up sub-accounts under one main account, so you can mimic the envelope method right in your banking app. 

Why it works: It’s visual, tactile, and helps prevent overspending because you can see how much you’ve spent.

Tip: If a certain envelope runs out and payday feels too far away, ZayZoon’s earned wage access can give you instant access to money you’ve already earned. No payday loans or borrowing from friends and family. 

2. The 50-30-20 rule

This simple framework breaks your income into three categories:

• 50% needs: rent, groceries, transportation, insurance
• 30% wants: hobbies, dining out, travel
• 20% savings: emergency fund, investments, debt repayment
  
  

Why it works: It's beginner-friendly and encourages balance. You can adjust the percentages based on your income and goals.

ZayZoon perk: Need help categorizing your spending? The Monarch Money app (part of our free-to-access Perks Marketplace) helps you track expenses, set financial goals, and visualize your budget in one place. Plus, you get a steep discount—50% off—as a ZayZoon customer.

3. The 80-20 budget

If the first two options sound too structured, this might be for you. 

Spend 80% of your income however you want and stash the other 20% in savings. That’s it.

Why it works: It’s low-lift and doesn’t require you to track every coffee, gas top-up, or grocery haul—but you’re still saving money for rainy days or emergencies. Again, you can adjust the percentages based on your financial goals and income. 

Who it’s for: Anyone with fluctuating income or who’s just getting started with budgeting.

ZayZoon tip: Automate your 20% savings by setting up a recurring transfer on payday. Or, use our balance alerts feature to be warned when your account dips below a certain amount, so you can be aware of how much you're spending vs. saving. 

4. The “no budget” budget

The “no-budget” budget, or anti-budget, isn’t about spending all your money.

Some people are naturally good at intuitively managing their money. If you're one of them, you might just track your monthly obligations and spend the rest freely. No need to stick to anything more specific. 

The “no budget” budget allows you to trust your instincts, but it’s important to prioritize your “must-haves” like rent, gas, and food. 

“Outside of [must-haves], everything left is essentially disposable income. You don’t need to worry about tracking where that money goes—just as long as you’ve already taken care of your non-negotiables,” advises Experian, a major credit reporting bureau.

Why it works: No spreadsheets, no apps, no envelopes. Just high-level awareness of where your money is going. 

Who it’s for: People with stable income, who are prone to routine and have strong financial habits.

But, heads up: This method assumes you already have a rainy day fund and aren’t an impulse spender. For peace of mind on regular expenses like pet care, explore ZayZoon perks like Embrace Pet Insurance. Or stay prepared for vacations with travel coverage from InsureMyTrip. Surprise expenses happen, and planning ahead helps you stay in control, especially if you’re not budgeting.

5. The DIY budget

The best method might be your own. Maybe you use the envelope method to manage how much money you spend on eating out at restaurants, the 80-20 rule to guide your main source of income and savings, and the “no-budget” budget for your side-hustle income.

Why it works: It’s built around your life, not a rigid framework.

Who it’s for: Anyone who’s tried the “rules” and wants to make their own way. 

ZayZoon’s earned wage access, financial education, and perks can help you budget,  build credit, file taxes, and even get support. We’re here to support your version of financial wellness, no matter what method you choose.

Set yourself up for success with the budget that works for you 

Budgeting shouldn’t be excessively restrictive or cause you guilt or stress. It’s about understanding what matters to you right now and using your income to support your priorities. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to budgeting and saving that works for everyone, so try a few different methods until you find the right one. Your money, your rules. 

Whether you want to stick to a spreadsheet or go with the flow, there’s a budgeting method and a ZayZoon perk for you.

Build a plan that works with your habits, your lifestyle, and your values. And remember: the best budget is the one that works for you.

Want to explore your Money Mindset or try one of our perks for free? Check out the ZayZoon app.