Using YNAB's sinking funds helped me get out of my considerable divorce debt. They're like envelopes you put money into ahead of time, for every single category/thing you want to spend on or save for.

• If you need to spend more than is in the envelope, you must transfer from another envelope first

• If a bill is higher than expected, transfer money from another envelope

• If you want to make an impulse purchase that doesn't fit an envelope, make mine and transfer money in from an existing one

And so on. It's a great system, and I continue to use it even though I'm now debt free, except for my monthly bills and car lease payment.