Jerry Wilson

Co-signing the hybrid and pay the card portion right away so you cut the average daily balance interest immediately. Then start a tiny sinking fund for car insurance and shoes going forward, even $10–$20 a week and so the next renewal doesn’t crunch your cash flow. Also set autopay for at least the card’s minimum to avoid any late fees while things are tight.

This is a solid system. I’d also split your weekly transfer into buckets right away - rent parked in its own subaccount groceries/utilities, and a few sinking funds for car repairs, insurance, and other irregular bills - so surprises don’t wipe out the buffer. To keep it steady, give the holding account a floor and ceiling (say 4–8 weeks of your weekly payout): if it dips under the floor, trim the weekly “paycheck” and pause extras; if it’s over the ceiling, sweep the excess to next month and the emergency fund.

This gets asked a lot. Remove the phone from the bedroom. Fixed wake time every day, even weekends. Alarm goes off, light on, stand up, dog out. Five minutes outside is enough to reset your head. No phone until the leash is back on the hook. Night routine is a timer, not vibes. Ten minutes to clear dishes, prep coffee, set clothes, and pack lunch. Basket by the door for keys, wallet, leash bags. Screen cutoff one hour before bed. Pitfalls are stacking goals and buying gear. Miss a day and restart at the next opportunity, not next week.