Expense Tracking

[Reynard369]

I'm looking to start tracking my spending to keep a closer eye on my money. I would like to know what spreadsheet templates or programs people use for this purpose. I don't want something that require budget inputs etc. I just want to input data such as amount spent, category of spending, date etc. Anyone have any recommendations? Thanks!

 

[gladhands]

My only recommendation is that you don't use Mint. You have to provide them with your banking, and credit card usernames and passwords, which voids most financial institution's fraud protection.

 

[TurboBruce]

I use excel

 

[Blurv]

What level of complexity are you looking for? Something basic to just rope in discretionary spending or are you looking for something that is a full analysis of all of your finances? Basic stuff can be done in excel which you can modify as you use it.

 

[skitlets]

Originally Posted by gladhands

My only recommendation is that you don't use Mint. You have to provide them with your banking, and credit card usernames and passwords, which voids most financial institution's fraud protection.

I did not know that. I love mint.

 

[BossTweed]

^ Yeah, I did not know that either. I currently use mint and love it.

 

[Piobaire]

Good old MS Money.

 

[scarphe]

is it really hard to do? open an excel and simply begin puting in the money you and on what.

 

[yjeezle]

did not know that about mint either... crap.

 

[Matt]

i did this a few years ago and just used the notes app in my phone and then transferred to Excel when I got home. If you can't keep something with you, you will miss all the small things along the way. When you miss all the small things, there are big holes in your daily total, cos those fuckers add up.

 

[gort]

Mint is amazing, would like to hear more about this fraud protection voiding.

 

[Reynard369]

Originally Posted by Blurv

What level of complexity are you looking for? Something basic to just rope in discretionary spending or are you looking for something that is a full analysis of all of your finances? Basic stuff can be done in excel which you can modify as you use it.

This. I know I could make my own spreadsheet in Excel, but I was hoping there was a template already out there people have used.

 

[Matt]

you have probably already spent longer discussing the options and looking for a pre existing template than you would have spent making a 2 column spreadsheet and putting a SUM formula at the bottom somewhere.

 

[Piobaire]

Originally Posted by Reynard369

This. I know I could make my own spreadsheet in Excel, but I was hoping there was a template already out there people have used.

Do you really need a spreadsheet? I mean, if your discretionary budget is $20, when it's gone you stop spending.

 

[scarphe]

Originally Posted by Reynard369

This. I know I could make my own spreadsheet in Excel, but I was hoping there was a template already out there people have used.

column 1 money spent
column 2 itme or service purchased

in some other cell put a sum function of column 1

do you need someone to explain how to piss as well?