Terry Walker

I feel for you starting out and but budgeting often leads to disappointment when unexpected costs hit.

Hi Amanda. I've been in gig work for years, and variable paychecks make budgeting tricky, but basing your plan on your lowest monthly income works best. Figure out that low-end amount by looking back at your last six months of earnings and picking the smallest one as your baseline. That way, you cover essentials like rent and food without stress when things dip. For example, if your low is $2,000, allocate $1,000 for rent, $300 for groceries, and keep the rest flexible for other bills. Track every expense in a simple app like Mint to see where your money goes and cut unnecessary stuff, like eating out less. Prioritize rent and food first, then utilities, and automate payments if you can to avoid late fees. To save for emergencies, aim to set aside 10% of whatever you make above your baseline each month, straight into a high-yield savings account. Start small, maybe with a goal of $500 in your emergency fund, and build from there as gigs pick up. Review your budget monthly to adjust for patterns in your income. It's not perfect, but this approach has kept me afloat during slow periods without dipping into savings too often.