The simplest way to know if you can afford something is to compare the purchase against your safe-to-spend amount, not just your current balance. That means accounting for bills, planned expenses, savings, and a buffer before you buy.
Step 1: List the money coming in
Include your current balance and any income expected before the next pay period. Avoid counting uncertain money unless you are comfortable with the risk.
Step 2: Subtract what is already spoken for
Subtract bills due, groceries, transportation, subscriptions, planned expenses, savings goals, and your emergency buffer.
Step 3: Test the purchase
If your safe-to-spend number is $160 and the purchase is $75, you would have $85 left. If the purchase is $190, it does not fit the estimate.
Where Dragon Budget fits
Dragon Budget’s free calculator does this comparison for you and labels the result Yes, Maybe, or No using simple rules.