budgeting woes: any tips on sticking to it?

i've been trying to stick to a budget for months now, but it always seems to slip through my fingers by mid-month 😩. i start with the best intentions, but something unexpected always crops up, like a friend's birthday dinner or a sale that's too good to miss. anyone else struggle with this? what are some realistic strategies for keeping on track, even when life throws curveballs? was thinking of adding a small buffer for those unplanned expenses, but not sure how much is reasonable. any advice would be much appreciated! also, curious if anyone uses apps to manage their spending and if they actually help? i've heard mixed reviews on budgeting apps, but wondering if they might be worth a try. let's swap some stories and advice—maybe we can crack this budgeting thing together! 🤞