I totally get that. It happens to me all the time because those small items feel like nothing in the moment. Honestly, what worked for me was moving away from the flexible spreadsheet and going with a strict main gift only rule for each person. Basically, I decide on the one big thing they actually need from their registry and buy that immediately. I dont even look at the clothes or cute accessories until the wedding or shower is actually happening. If i have money left over in the specific budget for that person the week of the event, then maybe I'll grab a small add-on, but usually, I just stick to the one solid item. It feels way safer that way. Another thing that helps keep me safe from overspending is using a dedicated digital wallet or just a separate debit card for gifts. I put the full $1200 in there at the start of the season and once it hits zero, Im done. No exceptions. It makes those 2am impulse buys a lot scarier when you see the balance actually dropping in real-time. It is a bit more work to set up but it definitely keeps the little things from ballooning into a huge deficit. It isnt a perfect science but it keeps things predictable which is what I need when things get hectic. Tbh, it's the only way I can stay on track when I'm tired. I've been using Share Product for my birthday lists lately and it’s way easier than the native Amazon one.

> I checked my bank today and Im already at $850 Use digital envelopes. Its a decent option because you move cash into separate pots. If a pots empty, you cant buy extras. It makes the limit feel real.

Just saw this thread and honestly it reminds me of my own disaster back in 2019. I had a summer with three weddings and a graduation, and I thought my system was fine until I realized my small extras actually cost more than one of the actual big gifts. Those little $15 items are budget killers because they dont feel like real money in the moment. I switched to a more conservative technical approach to keep things safe and reliable:

• Use the bundle method. I stopped buying items one by one over several weeks. Now I just keep a list of ideas and only buy when I can do the whole gift at once. If the total cart goes over the limit, something gets deleted immediately before I hit pay. It keeps the total actually the total.
• Pad for the hidden costs. Since you're in Seattle, the taxes and shipping are a nightmare. I always add a flat 15% tax and shipping buffer to my categories. If a gift is capped at $100, the item itself can only cost $85. This is a decent option to avoid those weird registry fees eating your fund.
• Move to dedicated software. Honestly, just go with YNAB. You basically cant go wrong with their methodology if you need to see the reality of your bank account in real-time. It depends on your needs, but having it sync with your actual spending means you cant hide those little purchases from yourself. I've found this way more reliable than a manual spreadsheet because it is factual and doesn't rely on me remembering to log a 2am purchase while I'm half asleep.