As a personal finance reporter residing in New York City, I utilize three tools to manage my expenditures.

I am always preoccupied with financial matters, whether it's about managing my student loans or deciding if continuing pet insurance is worth the cost.

I strive to effectively manage my money by seeking advice from experts and those who have achieved financial goals such as paying off debt and retiring early, but I am not flawless.

Although one of my favorite pieces of advice we've shared on CNBC Make It is that you don't have to adhere to a strict budget.

Dana Miranda, a certified personal finance educator, stated in an interview with Make It earlier this year that research indicates that budgeting and dieting restrictions do not yield effective results.

My dislike of tracking every dollar and my belief that money is meant to allow for enjoyment and a good life, as long as it is done within moderation, are reinforced by this sentence.

I utilize three primary tools to monitor my expenditures and achieve my financial objectives. These tools alleviate my stress and enable me to confidently manage my daily financial choices.

1. A calendar

I don't adhere to a strict monthly budget, but I prepare for success each month by creating a money calendar using Google Drawings, which is essentially a digital version of a pen and paper spending plan.

I regularly update my budget by transferring my regular expenses and automatic payments, such as my student loan and streaming subscriptions. I also add any additional costs, such as social events or home supplies, to my calendar to keep track of my weekly spending. I establish weekly financial goals and strive to manage my spending decisions in order to achieve the desired amount of leftover funds at the end of each weekend.

To ensure that my spending stays balanced, I plan to mark my upcoming dinner with a friend on the calendar and avoid non-grocery food purchases for that week.

2. Spending 'buckets'

In 2023, Ally, my primary bank, launched a "buckets" feature in its app for savings and checking accounts. This feature operates similarly to virtual envelopes, allowing you to designate funds for specific objectives.

I began utilizing the spending buckets feature in my checking account to enhance my money management alongside my calendar this year. Upon receiving my paycheck, I relocate funds to different buckets, including debt payments, insurance premiums, and self-care treatments.

I can easily track my spending by directing transactions to specific categories in my account. This helps me monitor my finances and allocate funds accordingly, making it easier to manage my money for unexpected expenses like groceries and clothing.

3. Sinking funds

I have been saving money for a planned, one-time expense, like when I was a child saving money for a new video game.

I utilize the buckets feature on my savings account to plan for larger expenses that are more than a month away. For upcoming trips or annual expenses, such as my dog's vet check-up, I create a savings bucket to serve as my sinking fund.

I may have multiple sinking funds at any given time, with different goals in mind. For instance, from November to December, I was saving for a trip to Puerto Rico and also buying Christmas presents for my loved ones.

Having a sufficient amount of money saved for a specific goal helps me avoid using my emergency fund or taking on more credit card debt.

To earn extra money online, sign up for CNBC's course on passive income streams, starting tips, and real-life success stories.

Sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to receive expert advice on work, money, and life.