I used to round every purchase up in my head and call it budgeting, then I added up 3 months of receipts

Jessica Carter · 2026-10-05T14:50:03.342577+00:00

For about 2 years I did the thing where I'd think "eh, that's basically $20" when something rang up at $23.47, and I felt fine about my money. Then in April I sat at my kitchen table in Boise and added up every receipt from Jan, Feb, and March, and the rounding had hidden $412 I never counted. My wife thinks I should round up on purpose so I always over budget, but I say round down so I stop lying to myself. Which way do you all do it, and did it actually change anything for you?

Vivisector

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I used to round every purchase up in my head and call it budgeting, then I added up 3 months of receipts | Budgeting Wins - Vivisector