I put everything but the essential monthly bills into a savings account using automatic transfer. I know in my head I have $587 per month for expenses that come up other than monthly. This covers my real estate taxes, personal property taxes, irregular expenses for the animals, gifts, etc. so these expenses eventually come out of my savings when those bills come, but it also makes me try to find the money in my monthly budget if I can. Like if I take the dog to the vet, can I squeeze it out of the food budget? Works for me.