Let’s talk from the heart. No one wants to budget. If it is, then good job. A monthly budget calculator may really help you out, whether you’re preparing for a rainy day or trying to avoid yet another overdraft alert. That small digital instrument doesn’t look too dangerous. It just has a few boxes to fill out and some dials to turn. But oh, what a difference it can make when used correctly!

Put guilt aside first. There are some pieces missing from everyone’s financial puzzle. The budget calculator’s purpose is to help you make sense of the jumble. You look at a pile of receipts and wonder if your habit of getting a latte every morning is making things harder for you. When you use the calculator, that caramel macchiato suddenly feels like a science experiment instead of a treat.

Put in your income. Be honest with yourself. Don’t lie about the figures simply because you want Aunt Barbara to send you birthday money again this year. Write down anything that is coming in, including paychecks, side jobs, flea market finds, and so on. Now comes the hard part: costs. There are two types of them: fixed and changeable. Fixed are the bills that come out of your bank account whether you want them to or not, such rent, auto payments, and streaming services. Variable is where your own decisions start to change. Groceries, gas, and random online shopping sprees because you “needed” one more scented candle.

Expense categories can often catch you off guard. That gym membership you only think about when you have to pay for it every month? The birthday meal you forgot to prepare until you had a cake-baking disaster? Put everything into the calculator, even those charges that only happen once. Other than during a surprise party, no one wants surprises.

Here’s a tip: always, always think that the unpredictable things are worse than they are. It’s rare for groceries to cost less than you think. Gas prices are like weather forecasts: they change all the time and aren’t always right. The calculator works better the more accurate the numbers are.

Don’t forget about savings. Putting pennies in a jar is better than doing nothing. Put savings on your list, not as an afterthought. The calculator won’t care how small the sum is. Even if it’s simply for the cab fare after eating too much “grab-and-go” pizza, your future self will appreciate your present self.

When the pieces fit together, the magic happens. Numbers fill in, gaps become clear, and, to be honest, some hard realities come to light. Your kids might be losing their lunch money because of how much you stream. That “occasional brunch” can actually be a frequent money hole.

Check your budget calculator once a week for your own good. Things happen faster than you can say “takeout at night.” It’s better to spend a little time each week while your coffee is brewing than to spend a month wondering where all your money goes.

Don’t try to be flawless. A budget calculator is a friend, not a boss. Some months will look better than others. Life can throw you a curveball, like a flat tire, forgetting to pay for a membership, or suddenly wanting pineapple pizza. Change. Change. Update the numbers.

Budgeting isn’t fun. But using the monthly budget calculator with honesty, a little humor, and a little truth will help you feel better. Those figures don’t seem so scary all of a sudden.