Back when I first did my PPL, and I was short on cash, I would not fly for the first 11.5 months of the then 13 month period, and then do a check ride followed by 4 hours solo over 4 weeks, with 2 spare for bad weather, etc. It was the only way I could afford to do it, and I felt safer doing it that way.

Now I am getting my currency back, I intend to fly at least once or twice a month, and will take a ‘military’ attitude to preparation and checklists (ie use them!) and make sure that I practice at least one major emergency on each trip.