When I game, I be sure to observe the following rules (applies to tournaments, as the game in the SNG, mainly, but you can easily adapt for cash games):
1 - The first deposit to play tournaments, which are trying to master (in my case the SNG at the one table), at the minimum buy-in.
2 - When you realize that you can climb in stakes, your bankroll should be at least 10 buy-in of the next level. If your bankroll is only 10 buy-in of the next level - you can participate in a tournament to rate this game at a higher level, but in the case of loss - back to the lower level and replenish the bankroll.
3 - Always, when your bankroll is less than 10 buy-in - come back to the level below, to train and fill bankroll.
By following these rules is not tricky, I'm playing for two years once made a deposit of $ 10. and though my bankroll has never exceeded $ 200, I took off for the time funds totaling $ 150, and now support level a bankroll at around $ 100.
I understand that someone, these amounts may seem ridiculous, but for to start from scratch, it seems to me, is not so bad. Still ahead. After all - is a hobby in their spare time. Although engaged in this hobby I try seriously.