The Depo files
Straight answers for people who want to know what they can spend and move on with their day.
How to Budget With Seasonal Income and Make the Off-Season Boring
Seasonal income is uneven but not entirely unpredictable. Map the year, fund the off-season first, and spend from what the full cycle supports.
How to Budget on Commission Income Without Spending the Good Months Twice
Build fixed commitments around the income you can reliably count on, not the income you expect from a good sales month. Treat commission as available only after it lands, then divide it among upcoming obligations, taxes, reserves, goals, and flexible spending.
Should You Build an Emergency Fund While Paying Off Debt?
Usually, yes. Keep required debt payments current, build a modest emergency fund, then put more money toward expensive debt. The right buffer depends on your actual risks.
How to Prioritize Bills When You Can't Pay Them All
Can't pay every bill this month? Rank payments by consequence, protect housing and income, call providers early, and make a realistic short-term plan.
Budgeting for People Who Hate Budgeting: The Smallest System That Works
Hate budgeting? Use a smaller system with fewer categories, less maintenance, and a clear daily spending reference you can actually check.
How Much Can a Freelancer Safely Spend Between Payments?
A practical way to decide what you can spend between freelance payments—even when invoices arrive late and every month looks different.
How to Budget for Annual and Irregular Expenses
Plan for yearly bills, seasonal costs, and irregular expenses before they hit. A simple way to reserve money without building a giant budget.
How to Stop Impulse Spending With ADHD
Practical ways to stop impulse spending with ADHD — friction techniques, a pre-purchase check, and what to do if you already bought it.
Depo vs. YNAB vs. PocketGuard vs. Monarch: Which Budgeting Style Fits You?
Compare Depo, YNAB, PocketGuard, and Monarch by budgeting style, bank connections, maintenance, pricing, and who each app actually fits.
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