The are only two times that I ever count how much I spend.
1. The first is on the way to a punt. I take the exact amount plus some well hidden emergency money if I feel it is appropriate.
2. Planning a trip abroad. One has by necessity to estimate an amount for fucking prossies. I will usually calculate a day rate at cheap fanny prices then add an overflow in case an exceptionally top quality session becomes a possibility.
This is based on an attitude to punting that is “Don’t spend more than you will notice losing”. It’s like going to a casino: I estimate say £50 for an evening’s entertainment in pleasant surroundings away from the general crush of people. That seems reasonable, especially when it includes free or cheap food and drinks. When it’s gone, it’s gone.
I don’t go through Nik’s daily trauma of how punting/gambling “ruined his life” but his excuse is he sells books based on being miserable.