How Do You Keep Track of Your Budget?

[Amy Bass]

We all do things a bit differently. Do you write it down and cross off amounts when you spend them? Do you use envelopes of cash for each category?

I put my budget as a word document on the desktop of my computer. If I spend a certain amount in that category I will go update my budget with the amount I still have left. I like going there at any time and checking my "available balance."

[Marie]

I have mine in an excel file. It's pretty simplistic but gets the job done.

[Meredith]

Mine is also in Excel format. I have everything spelled out as to which paycheck contributes how much to what. I also try and keep things "checkbook register" style for categories like Groceries and Gas. I have the total amount in the category at the top and I subtract each time I spend from that category. I always have a running tally of how much is left. I was never very successful with real cash envelopes, but these virtual envelopes work just as well for me.

[Nathaniel Scott]

we got the crown money map program a year or two ago. before that we had used microsoft money and excel spreadsheets. i like the money map because they have the envelope system which i find very effective for tracking and moving money around when appropriate.
http://natedavidscott3.blogspot.com/2008/01/money-matters.html

[eventualdave]

Just like others, I worship at the altar of Spred'Sheet. Mine's got pretty colors and everything! It tracks not only budget but I have sections for spending, debt and savings tracking, and whether i've already paid my electric bill this month. I dig that you can do just about anything you want with Excel.

[SJB]

I'm a tactile person so we keep everything on paper. We use a large journal to keep record of our checking and savings transactions. I also have a couple of worksheets I use to record our spending, financial goals, and debt repayment schedule. At the end of each month I have a final worksheet that I use to summarize our income and our expenses. It takes a lot less time than it sounds. I've tried all the bookkeeping software programs and I've found it was a complete hassle to both write it and type it. Plus I didn't like having to fire up the computer each time to update the record. My husband (who is 10 times better at math) checks behind me at his convenience and because we are much more organized now he knows what he is looking at and where to find things.

[katharina]

:-) I'm glad to see another tactile person here! I have never kept financial records on the computer and I have an old fashioned Ledger (yes, a paper one with a padded cover... they DO still make those! hehe) :-) It is mostly used to keep track of the bills and when something is paid, due, etc.

[Princess2008]

I also use Excel to record my budget but I also use my mobile as I have a budget planner on there too which helps when I get tempted to spend when shopping! I also use the Excel spreadsheet to record my debts and the payments, I have this thing about writing everything down and so its something I often do. Each month when I submit my invoice for work, I then write down what I will have for the following month, payments etc and just do my best to stick with it.

[Azrael]

I’m working online so it is better if will just keep a journal of my earnings and debt on my blog. This is a common practice among bloggers. I like the fact that I can keep on track on my earnings online because this will add up for something to look forward to for my readers.

[katharina]

I've only seen one blogger doing this in the past and you're right, it was fun watching his earnings grow and his debt shrink. I don't think I'm ready to do it yet myself, but I like snooping in on other people's finances when *they* do it. :-)

[Azrael]

You should do it. Just as I already mentioned that this is a common practice among bloggers. This is also an inspiration for your readers, not including the fact that you will also gain more readers as you are posting your earnings. Your readers will then think that what your posting is valuable thus subscribing and joining or buying from one of your affiliate programs.

[brandon05]

I am terrible at this in that every week I have a piece of paper and I do the budget on that. It pretty much stays the same from week to week right now. Except for if the utilities go up or something like that and then I have to change things around somewhat.

[R1986]

I really like the idea of keeping a constantly updated Word document on the desktop as when I have things there I always look at them at least once a day and they act as virtual post-it notes. Personally I just only keep my spending money in one account and all the budget money in a different one so I can't accidentally spend budget money without thinking.