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08-16-2006, 06:40 PM
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How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
I have an Excel Sheet and I do not write in every time when I make a purchase but I was thinking of going the paper route. I just want to make sure I keep track of every penny...What do you do?
Jacquelyn 
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08-16-2006, 06:48 PM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Excel works for me. I have an electronic check register, saving register, budget, and net worth statement in there.
I use my CCs to pay for just about everything, so there isn't too much day to day recordkeeping. If you tend to write a lot of checks or use a debit card, paper might be better so you can keep it updated in real time.
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08-17-2006, 04:30 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
PDA.
  
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08-17-2006, 05:25 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
I used envelopes for cash spending and an excel sheet for savings and bills/budgeting for over a year. Someone here told my about downloadable envelope budgeting systems so I tried some out and really loved 'Home Budget' so I have been using it for a month and really like it.
http://www.tucows.com/preview/198092
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08-17-2006, 06:10 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
I just started a bunch of Google spreadsheets yesterday. I was going to use Excel, but I can't be bothered with turning on my Windows computer, and I want it to be accessible from work and capable of being shared.
I sacrifice speed and features, but it works well enough for me for now. I can always export them to Excel if need be. ~mimi
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08-17-2006, 06:18 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
I use You Need a Budget, a $20 Excel-based spreadsheet program. I also have Quicken and download account balances there, but YNAB works better for me for budgeting and planning ahead.
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08-17-2006, 08:27 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Excel, why does everyone use an expensive program to do a budget. I remember a free program that did almost everything Microsoft Office did. If I remember it, I will post it here.
BTW as a student I was able to purchase MS Office for $81 vs $500 retail.
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08-17-2006, 08:31 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Quote:
ETA: I use excel because that's what I have at work. My home computer has a built in spread sheet that is compatable with Excel, so I can open my budget file at home too. So using Excel didn't cost me a thing!
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08-17-2006, 08:33 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Well I am the grandma of the bunch. I write my budget down on a yellow pad. When dh gets paid, I cash the check and put the money into each envelope. I wish I had a computer teacher to teach me how to do it, but knowing me, I would still go back to my yellow pad and envelopes. You can't teach an old dog, new tricks!
 [Automated by GetSmile]
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08-17-2006, 08:56 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Ima, your way is just fine! The only thing I really like about doing it on Excel is that I can get it to add up my expenses "lickety-split". With paper and pencil I'd need a calculator. Other than that, what's the difference? I wouldn't sweat it if I were you.
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08-17-2006, 09:24 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
I use mvelopes.com it's a web baised system. It does a great job for me as far as pulling transactions from everywhere. It also allows me to see everything in real time and pay all of my bills. It does charge a monthly fee, so that scares some people off, but it's saved me way more than it costs. I've tried a spreadsheet and Quicken but did 'get it' (aka what a budget really is) until I tried this system. Check it out and see what you think of it.
Bottom line is that it doesn't really matter what or how you do it, just that you do it. Find something that works for you and stick to it. Good luck.
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08-17-2006, 10:08 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Quote:
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08-17-2006, 10:24 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Quote:
http://www.openoffice.org/
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08-17-2006, 10:29 AM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Biggest thing I have learned with the envelope system, is never never borrow money out of it. On the rare occasion I do it, (dh needed his gas money before I cashed the paycheck) I put a post it note on the envelope and pay it back right away.
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08-17-2006, 12:49 PM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Here is the free one I would use if I didn't have Excel.
http://www.software602.com/download/ I actually did use it about 4 years ago and it did everything I needed it too. Open Office is another but listed here too. I have not used it.
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08-17-2006, 01:37 PM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
not well...
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08-17-2006, 02:02 PM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
I don't track my spending, but I do track my savings. I have an excel spreadsheet to track my net worth and another one to track the categories of my freedom account. I want to track my spending, I've just been procrastinating...
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08-17-2006, 02:20 PM
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Re: How do you keep track of your Expenses/Budget/Spending?
Excel spreadsheet.
I am willing to share if anyone would like it. I don't know how to attach the darn thing in this message.
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