Spending spreadsheets?

youngmum_2

I've just read Noselfdiscipline's post and am very impressed by how he's kept such a concise record for his spending in 2009. To do the same I reckon I need myself some kind of spreadsheet?

Could some kind peep point me in the right direction?

Thanks so much :-)

Noselfdiscipline

Thanks! I made my own spreadsheet in Excel, its dead easy! I have one sheet for each month. Theres a column of what comes in, and I split the month into 4 weeks, and just write down everything that goes out. A couple of simple formulas do all the adding up for me. Then theres a sheet at the end that tabulates the totals for the year.

dib-dab

I have done this before too - it is really interesting to categorise everything and then you can see exactly what you are spending on things that you thought you didn't spend much on - nights out, clothes, lunches etc
My spreadsheet just had a row for each day and I would split everything I spent that day into categories (eg bills, mortgage, petrol, groceries, clothes, nights out, dinner, cinema, credit card payments etc) and then each day would have a total at the end. I also put my bank balance into it so that I would have a running total of my balance. This worked really well for making sure I didn't go over my overdraft limit as I would have an exact idea of my balance instead of forgetting I had spent something on my switch card.

youngmum_2

Thanks so much both!

dib-dab

If you are no good with spreadsheets I could knock a quick one together for you? I don't know where my old one is. Although I don't know how I would get it to you - can you contact people on here?
But if you can manage it yourself then no worries.

youngmum_2

You could PM me? Any help would be wonderful, thank you

judi24

There was spending diary spreadsheet someone did from here that was good - I had it on my old computer but can't find it now! had evreything catagorised nad worked it all out for you - will keep looking and post it if i find it - would like to use it myself!

pippaaaaaaa

i'd also really love a spreadsheet if anyone puts one together... i'm trying to get on top of my finances this year and i know i overspend!

niksyg

Or....just use a nice notebook to write it all down in! Much better than scary spreadsheets!!

Bagpuss741

Have a go of this one: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=238575

I find the debt pot invaluable.

Two9A

I've only got a spreadsheet for full transactions; if I go to Asda and spend £10, I write "-£10, Asda, Groceries" into the spreadsheet, and the balance of the account I used.

I've considered writing down everything that goes into that shop, but I've got enough to deal with trying to map all my debt and current accounts (at present count, 10 in total) without writing out every detail of my shopping habits