Finally did what a few of you said after the repair bill thing, stopped averaging the irregular stuff and gave it its own account. Opened a second checking account this week, $60 auto-transferred every paycheck, just for car repairs and the stuff that never fits anywhere (HVAC filter, random co-pay). First test already came, a flat tire, $90, paid straight from that account, never touched the main budget!
Still haven’t sorted out where insurance premiums and retirement contributions fit on the same page as everyday spending, they’re on autopilot and I forget about them until the full statement shows up. 90 minutes each way on the commute means most of this thinking happens at red lights.
Next week I want to give the book money its own little line too, instead of whatever’s left after movie nights.