Debbie, I already have the budget system in place. You're right. It works great. Now I only take out the money from my paycheck that's above and beyond the bills amount, and that's what I have to last until the next paycheck. I only use the checkbook for bills.

I know just how much money I need to earn to cover bills and essentials.

My problem is doing it in a timely fashion instead of stretching my work day out to 12 hours and making 6 hours' worth of money.