Create a Realistic Budget for Beginners

My primary financial goals are to build a solid emergency fund, ideally covering 3-6 months of living expenses. After that, I want to start aggressively paying down my student loan debt. Long-term, I'd love to save for a down payment on a small condo, but that feels like a distant dream right now. The emergency fund and debt repayment are the most immediate priorities.

My approximate monthly income after taxes is around $3,200.

My biggest perceived spending categories are definitely eating out and impulse purchases. I find myself grabbing lunch or coffee out way more often than I should, and then there are those online shopping sprees that I regret later. I also suspect my entertainment budget is a bit out of control, though I don't have a clear number for it. Basically, anything that's not a fixed bill feels like a potential black hole for my money.

Honestly, I haven't really tried anything formal before. I've occasionally looked at my bank statements to see where my money went, but that's about it. I've thought about using a spreadsheet, but the idea of setting it all up feels daunting. I've also seen apps, but I'm not sure which ones are good or if they're worth the subscription fees. So, mostly, I've just been winging it, which clearly isn't working.

For me, 'achievable' means a budget that I can actually stick to without feeling completely deprived or like I'm constantly failing. It shouldn't require me to cut out everything I enjoy, but rather to make conscious choices about where my money goes. It needs to be realistic about my current spending habits and income, and allow for some flexibility for unexpected things or occasional treats. If it's too restrictive, I know I'll just abandon it.