Start with the household total
Choose the amount the household wants to spend during the month. Couplesplit shows what has been used, what remains, and how current spending compares with the pace of previous months.
Use category limits selectively
Not every category needs a cap. Limits are most useful for flexible areas where an early signal can change the outcome: dining, entertainment, groceries, travel, or discretionary shopping.
Keep budget and balance separate
Budget answers “are we spending according to plan?” Balance answers “who paid and who owes?” Couplesplit shows both without mixing them, so a person who paid more is not mistaken for a person who spent more.