<human>: Could you distill the essence of the text into 1-3 sentences?

In the past, if I had money in my bank account and there was something I *really* wanted, I would probably go ahead buy it without really thinking too hard about the consequences of that expenditure - like upcoming bills I now couldn't pay for. Then, I started using YNAB and got a lot better about looking ahead, at least for monthly expenses.

But I still struggle with not buying stuff I technically can afford. I'm not even a month ahead on YNAB yet, don't have any savings, etc., but that $300 subwoofer I've been eyeing goes on a one-day sale for $200, I know I could spend the money without jeopardizing my bills, and...yeah...very hard to turn it down. Part of my brain says, "Aw cmon, 200 bucks. You can shuffle some stuff around and afford it."

SO...what I've been doing is saying, "Ok, brain. You won't miss 200 bucks? Fine." And I shuffle my budget to free up the money, and transfer it into savings.

And, ya know, somehow that quiets the urge to buy at least somewhat. I still want the subwoofer, but it's not gnawing at me like it was because the money is already "spent."

Meanwhile, there's already $500 in there.
<bot>: When you have a strong urge to make a non-essential purchase, go ahead and spend the money...by transferring the amount into savings instead.