I've never been good at tracking our spending. Currently 95% of our spending goes on a credit card that gets paid down every couple weeks. So, I know roughly what we are spending, but I'd like a simple way to track what we are really spending and what we are spending it on.
Any suggestions?
I use YNAB, it does everything I ask it to
If you're spending 95% on a credit card, the easiest way is to just review the credit card statement.. That'll get you 95% of the way there :) Mine even breaks out the category.
Duke
MegaDork
11/21/24 2:51 p.m.
WonkoTheSane said:
If you're spending 95% on a credit card, the easiest way is to just review the credit card statement.. That'll get you 95% of the way there :) Mine even breaks out the category.
This. If you have / start an online account with your credit card company, nearly all of them have data analysis tools available on your account information page.
export to .CSV and use excel or google sheets
If you're looking for more general financial planning than just "where did my money go?". I have a budget Excel spreadsheet that I've referenced a few times on here called WithInYourMeans that I found years ago and my wife and I used to get our financial life on track.
It breaks up your income into three categories: payments/expenses, savings, and replacements. After filling in all the income and expenses, it helps you figure out how to fill those three categories. Payments/expenses is pretty early explanatory, savings as well, but the replacements was a major one for us. You inventory everything you own that has a life span (roof, water heater, cars, oven, etc., etc.) and then set aside enough to afford a replacement when it's needed.
Here's the spreadsheet, I'm happy to help if you need a hand with it. It does take a lot of time to get set up, I think we spent 3 or 4 nights to get going.
https://www.mymoneyblog.com/images/0703/withinyourmeans.xls
I use really old YNAB that was purchased instead of subrscription model.