Pick a recovery window
Do not start by trying to rebuild the entire year. Choose a recovery window, such as the last seven days or the current month, and make that useful first.
A budget that is 80 percent current is more actionable than a perfect budget you never finish.
Import what you can
If your bank or card gives you a PDF, CSV, or spreadsheet statement, use it to restore the missing period. This removes the memory work and gives you a concrete list to review.
After importing, focus on obvious duplicates and uncategorized items. You can refine names and categories later.
Restart with one rule
Once the catch-up is done, make tomorrow easier. Choose one low-effort rule, such as recording purchases before bed or importing transactions every Friday.
The best routine is the one you can restart after missing it.