PSA: budget options that nobody talks about

Quick context: I am relatively new to this and trying to find my footing. I want to write something more comprehensive about this later but starting with a quick post to gather thoughts. I tried three different approaches and none of them felt quite right.

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, mods please remove if it is not. I want to write something more comprehensive about this later but starting with a quick post to gather thoughts.

Mostly thinking out loud — feel free to push back hard. I tried three different approaches and none of them felt quite right.