1. Stop rationalizing that you’re too busy. The most convenient escape for a failed budget is to say you are “too busy” to manage your finances - too busy to balance the checkbook, too busy with household chores, too busy to check how much was already spent, and so on. If you get honest with yourself, you would know that saying you’re “too busy” is a defense mechanism that does not help you to deal with your problem in an objective way.
2. Re-start your planning and do it ahead of time. Most of the time, the failure is caused by unplanned expenses. Start fixing the problem early on. For example, make a list of possible dinners within the month, including how much you want to spend each. Also, do your shopping list. Planning ahead is a proactive way of preventing failed budgets.
3. Monitor your bi-annual bills. Some expenses are not due until after six months, such as the auto insurance. Because of the nature of these types of expenses, they are vulnerable to be left out in planning and budgeting. Once you forget to include these types of expenses in the budget, they will put your plans out the window.
4. Never stop trying again. Once you have learned your lesson, go back to the drawing table. Figure out what to do to avoid the same mistakes the next time. Mistakes should not prevent you from getting back on track. Your failures will end as soon as you get back and deal with your budget failures.