Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Works For Me Wednesday: Spreadsheet Budgeting

This is my first Works For Me Wednesday post. Click the WFMW banner to read over 300 great ideas from bloggers on the Rocks in My Dryer website.

What I want to share is how I use an Excel spreadsheet to keep up with what we spend.


I have struggled for several years with having a budget and tracking our spending. About a year ago I realized that the easiest thing would be to do away with the register in my my checkbook and create a spreadsheet that combined a register, along with columns for the different categories in our budget.

The top row of the monthly spreadsheet lists the amount of my husband's check (he gets paid once a month) and then the I break that amount down, funding each budget category. As I list a check, debit card transaction, draft or deposit in the first few columns that keep up with the balance in the checking account, I also deduct or add that amount to the appropriate category (or categories). It sounds complicated, but once it's set up one time, I just copy and paste to start a new worksheet the next month and it doesn't take that much time.

This way of keeping track of spending helps us to see at the end of the month where our money is really going...which enables us to make the changes that are needed in order to meet our financial goals.

If you would like for me to send you a sample spreadsheet just so you can get a visual of what I'm talking about, leave a comment with your email address and I'll get it right out to you.

11 comments:

Tiffany said...

Thanks for the sweet words about my son. He is the light of my life! I too am a Christian...it's great to know there are many blogging Christian women out there. Yay! I would love an example of your spreadsheet....I need to start doing that. Great idea!! my email is tiffanyaga@comcast.net. Thanks!! And keep on writing!!!

~ said...

Thanks for your comment Tiffany. I emailed the spreadsheet to you...let me know if you have any questions.

Bayou Woman said...

I would LOVE to see the sample spread sheet. Thanks so much!
captainwendy@wetlandtours.com

~ said...

BW...I'll get the spreadsheet right out to you!

Anonymous said...

I would love to see the spreadsheet! We need all the help we can get with budgeting right now!

Thanks a bunch!
Amanda
amandagdonovan@gmail.com

~ said...

Thanks for stopping by Amanda! I just sent the spreadsheet to you.

Jana said...

This is just what I need! I don't have a blog, but could you send a copy to jannersmail@yahoo.com ? Thanks so much!

~ said...

Jana...it's headed your way!

Renee Douglas said...

I would love to get a sample spreadsheet. We've got to get back to a strict budget, money's just too tight these days! Thanks!

~ said...

Hi Renee...thanks for stopping by! I would love to send you the sample spreadsheet, but I need your email please. : )

Anonymous said...

Hi! I would love to have a look at your spreadsheet! My husband and I are really trying to get our finances organized and we've tried a few things, but I'm always looking for "new" ideas! :)

My e-mail is: dmoyer81@yahoo.com

THANKS!