nalto
Familiar Member
Joined: Dec 21, 2010 15:31:54 GMT -5
Posts: 777
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Post by nalto on Jan 18, 2011 15:55:27 GMT -5
Every cent. Printed off a "simple" budget from Excel, save my reciepts for my ledger, then I put the totals into my budget as I go.
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Wisconsin Beth
Distinguished Associate
No, we don't walk away. But when we're holding on to something precious, we run.
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 11:59:36 GMT -5
Posts: 30,626 
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jan 18, 2011 16:20:32 GMT -5
We tracking spending right now. We started 1/1/11 and are using an Excel spreadsheet. It's getting easier now that we have categories that make more sense for us.
Being able to track every penny you spend doesn't necessarily make you frugal. MIL can tell you every penny she spent, going back years. I wouldn't call her or FIL frugal.
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Waffle
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 12, 2011 11:31:54 GMT -5
Posts: 4,391
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Post by Waffle on Jan 19, 2011 15:16:28 GMT -5
I resemble that remark. ;D
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family legacy
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 28, 2010 21:10:56 GMT -5
Posts: 177
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Post by family legacy on Jan 19, 2011 16:57:20 GMT -5
I resemble that remark. ;D I'm sure we're not alone in this regard. |
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Regis
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 27, 2010 12:26:50 GMT -5
Posts: 1,414 
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Post by Regis on Jan 19, 2011 23:52:16 GMT -5
I don't track anything by category, only a total on a monthly basis.
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MN-Investor
Well-Known Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 22:22:44 GMT -5
Posts: 1,937
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Post by MN-Investor on Jan 20, 2011 3:43:11 GMT -5
I've never tracked all our spending. We always spent less than what we earned while saving a good chunk. About the closest I ever came was in 1980 when I put some numbers together to see how much we could afford to pay for a house. My DH will probably retire in 10 years when he turns 65. The retirement planners tell you that you should have some idea of what you spend each year. That makes sense. I've kept my finances in Quicken for the past 5 years, so I put that into a spreadsheet. Like they say, garbage in, garbage out. No, not really. Some things are easily categorized, such as taxes and utilities, so I can total them. But I just throw my hands up at places like Target and Wal-Mart. It may be food, it may be clothes, it may be a car battery! So I have $2K / month in miscellaneous. Close enough.  |
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ambellamy
Established Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 10:05:26 GMT -5
Posts: 458
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Post by ambellamy on Jan 20, 2011 9:20:49 GMT -5
I keep track of everything I can. When I don't, money just goes away on hobbies, shopping, or non necessities. When I keep track of everything, I'm actually able to really set goals for myself... and plan for big things. (like paying for my wedding in cash!-- working on that now.)
I just use excell and I have a list of eveyrthing I buy that I update once a week or so.
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