Trying to Balance Saving and Paying Off Debt Without Feeling Stressed Out

I’ve been trying to get better at managing my money, but it feels like a never-ending juggle. I have some credit card debt I’m chipping away at, but I also want to build up a solid emergency fund. Right now, I’m setting aside about $200 a month for savings and paying around $150 extra toward my debt on top of minimum payments. It’s a small step, but sometimes it feels like I’m barely making a dent anywhere.

One thing that stresses me is unexpected bills popping up, like car repairs or medical stuff, which throws off my budget and makes me doubt if I’m doing this right. I try to be frugal, packing lunches and cutting subscriptions, but it’s tough when I want to still enjoy little things without guilt.

Has anyone found a good way to balance paying off debt and saving without feeling overwhelmed? How do you decide when to prioritize one over the other? Would love to hear any tips or personal stories about managing this tightrope walk.