Obviously, this is theory and easier said than done....

Obviously, this is theory and easier said than done. Tracking every nickel is a big process and a lot of people don't do it. You can make the best budget, but if you don't track it, what good does it do? In my house, every month, we compare the actual to the budget. It's not fun. My wife hates me for it. But you have to track what you're spending.