budget tracking

[nboicepardee]

Hello Everyone,
I have been reading all of the threads about managing budgets and I was wondering if we could get people's best tools that they use to manage their budgets. I know people attached several suggestions in previous threads, but I was having trouble finding them and I thought it might be helpful to have suggestions all in one place.
Thanks so much!
Natalie

 

[ziggystardust]

I'm a believer in lists. I'm ALWAYS making lists. This helps for monthly expenses, shopping, Xmas/Bday presents. Everything.

If its not on the list - it doesn't happen (well thats the plan anyway!)

 

[Reese]

Envelopes.

All my money to be spent in the two weeks between pays gets put in to seperate envelopes. I have them broken down into groceries, animals, diapers, gas and misc. This way I only have one trip to the bank and when I shop I don't take my debit card so this way I can't over spend.

I have the rest of my expenses broken down into two pays a month so I always know what I'm paying with each pay and where my savings come from.

Also we have a short term fun account that gets money every month. We use this account for birthday presents, vacation, ect. We have a long term savings that we put some into every month that is never touched and we have one other savings account for emergencies.

 

[nboicepardee]

thanks for the great tips. i was also specifically thinking about spreadsheets or budgeting websites that might be helpful.

 

[dmensing]

I just created my own Excel spreadsheet to make our budget and track expenses. I'm sure it isn't as fancy or have the bells & whistles of some of the professional software but it works for the basic purpose of knowing where the money goes.

Dan.

 

[strasfamily]

I believe there is an Excel budget spreadsheet that you can download on the Microsoft website.

 

[minnie1928]

Quicken, Quicken & Quicken! I guess technically that's three words, but they're all the same word so I'll count it as one !

It's all I need to do budget, forecasting, historical trending, etc. You don't need the latest, fanciest version to do these tasks. My version is from 2000.

 

[strasfamily]

I didn't have time to search for the link when I posted before, but here are some tools that are available for free download on the Microsoft website:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT011815531033.aspx

 

[Debbie]

Quicken, Quicken & Quicken! ​

Gotta go with that...QUICKEN! Quick, easy, you can track money in definite but "virtual" savings goals accounts...it's great!

 

[hsmamato2]

My household notebook. Can find forms to print and instructions to make on www.organizedhome.com - it seemed like all the computer tools took more time than they saved(and I love my computer)
I have a written budget page that goes for fixed expenses every month.
(mtg.,escrow-food budget,etc.)
the next page I have my "month page, with a category list,(gas, groceries,clothes,etc) with the total amt. plannedfor each written above.
As I spend, I sit down every few days, with my reciepts, write down what was spent and where, to keep an eye on the total, so as not to exceed budget. This is all done with a looseleaf notebook and paper. It's simple, cheap, and has worked for me for many years. I also have a couple page inserts with files in them, for stashing months receipts, till I get the cc bill, then make sure it's accurate, then get rid of them.
people think there's some magic formula for keeping to a budget with a single income, and there is....write it down !!!