Can anyone recommend a computer program for my monthly budget?

[Mermaid02]

I want something relatively simple but thorough. I just figured out that my husband is spending about $65 a month buying coffees and snacks during the week. I think he will be surprised when he sees that. I'm sure there would be other surprises where we "waste" money too- we just don't realize it. I thought a good way to bring this to light would be doing a budget.

Suggestions welcomed!

 

[golfgal]

Did you get a program preloaded on your computer? With this computer we had Microsoft Money preloaded, out old computer had Quicken. You can eaily track expenses on either program by entering the checks, cash, debit card, etc info, placing all your spending into various catagories (some are pre-programed or you can make up your own). Then you can run reports when ever you want to track how much you spend on gas, for example.

Getting them set up is some work, but once you are done, entering the info a bit at a time, like when you pay bills, is simple. The programs will also walk you through reconciling your bank statements, you can even download a copy of your bank statement if your bank supports that. It takes me about 5 minutes to enter a couple weeks worth of spending and to balance our checkbook.

 

[tbelfonti]

Well, this is how we do our budget...

We use microsoft money to keep our checkbook updated.

We also have an excel spreadsheet with different pages for each category (utilities, mtg, insurance, food, pet supplies, hair cuts, dc expenses, taxes, auto, etc, etc). Every time we get paid (DH weekly, myself monthly) we "pay" each category and then deduct our weekly expenses as we spend them. There is a final page that gives you the total of each category and a grand total (which should equal the total in your checkbook AND in microsoft money).

It's a bit over the top, but we used to be in CC debt and used this system to pay off all our debt. We now know immediately if we have the money that week for eating out or a movie, or whatever.

HTH!

 

[canwegosoon]

I guess I do something like tbelfonti. What I do is have 2 excel sheets. First one I use all the catagories: mort, util, retirement etc and assign an dollar amount to them. I also be sure to put in the non monthly amounts like water, vet bills, sports registration, etc. Then I total the expenses, and subtract my husbands income, and another income, so this is my Balance sheet. Hopefully we are in the black!!! Then on my second excel sheet I take my DH pay dates and decide what I am going to pay with what check. (eg: May 6th, Mortage 900, Food 100, svgs 100, gas 25 etc). Then I make sure that each week adds up to my DH take home pay.

I find it very easy to use, I make adjustments to the payroll sheet, so I know where there are problems for next year. I have found Microsoft Money very difficult to constanty enter everything in because my bank doesn't download the information from my checking account.

 

[poohj80]

We use Quicken as well and we were surprised when we saw our first monthly itemized spending list and saw how much we were spending by eating out. It was amazing how much we saved when we started bringing lunches to work instead.

 

[geetey]

Another Quicken user. We have been using Quicken for 8+ years now. You can easily track your spending habits using this program. Good luck!