4. Give Yourself Some Wiggle Room

Lest you worry that we're becoming too hardcore, remember that phrase "everything in moderation." If you budget too meticulously, it's only going to stress you out—and probably fail. Give yourself reasonable expectations, make sure you stash enough away for an emergency, and don't forget to budget money for fun! If you're the type that splurges, maybe you need to create a splurge budget to avoid overspending. Or, only allow yourself to use that money once you've accomplished other goals. Whatever you do, don't neglect the fun—and give yourself some wiggle room for those unexpected expenses. Photo by 401(K) 2012.