How do you track your spending?

JSR

I use KMyMoney. It's free and works on Windows, Mac and Linux. It's not very polished but does everything including the pots thing (implemented as sub-accounts) which was the main reason I chose it.

http://kmymoney2.sourceforge.net/index-home.html

Deneb

suse* wrote: »

I used to use quicken years ago and loved the pots features so for things like car tax etc you would create a saving goal for it and put the money away each month. In reality it was just in your bank account still, but I found this a lot easier to understand in a way knowing how much money had been saved in the year for each saving goal.

I still use Quicken (moved from 2004XG to 2013 just over a year ago). I never really got on with savings goals though, so what I do is create "virtual" cash accounts for regular budget items, which I transfer money to each month and debit as I spend it. As you say, in reality the money in those accounts is elsewhere, but it has always worked for me.

Starlet

I have a £50 weekly budget for food. Instead of paying by card, I put my notes into a money bag, and have found that this helps, because while walking around any supermarket, I ask myself whether the thing I want to buy is really essential.

With regards to keeping receipts: I have bought a small see-through plastic wallet (the size of an envelope) from Wilkinsons, for about 50p/60p, so it's small enough to keep in my handbag. I put all receipts in there. If I know Im going to be lazy and not bother putting the receipt into the plastic wallet and lose it, I text myself any details of how much I've spent.

Icesaver

Microsoft Money for me. Been using it for years, I'll be lost if ever the sunset version won't run on future MS operating systems. Currently using it on Win 7 64 bit.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/athome/microsoft-money.aspx

someone

Icesaver wrote: »

Microsoft Money for me. Been using it for years, I'll be lost if ever the sunset version won't run on future MS operating systems. Currently using it on Win 7 64 bit.

http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/athome/microsoft-money.aspx

I had huge problems trying to get Money to work on a new computer and decided that it was time to move on especially as I was having to start a virtual computer every time I wanted to use it! With a back log of 5ish months of statements I decided to do something drastic and start a fresh set of books. Downloaded GNUCash (which is free) with an aim to be up and running for the new year. Found all my account balances for 1 December 2013 and have inputed details so far.

Whilst still new I quite like it. I would recommend it to someone looking to move on from MS Money. It seems far more flexible IMO and that may be that is is more from an accountancy background. I am also tracking my work travel expenses much better so that when they are paid they don't increase my 'net worth'.

asparagus1968

Corona wrote: »

Wow !!! You are inspirational.

total agreement!

Icesaver

someone wrote: »

I had huge problems trying to get Money to work on a new computer and decided that it was time to move on especially as I was having to start a virtual computer every time I wanted to use it! With a back log of 5ish months of statements I decided to do something drastic and start a fresh set of books. Downloaded GNUCash (which is free) with an aim to be up and running for the new year. Found all my account balances for 1 December 2013 and have inputed details so far.

Whilst still new I quite like it. I would recommend it to someone looking to move on from MS Money. It seems far more flexible IMO and that may be that is is more from an accountancy background. I am also tracking my work travel expenses much better so that when they are paid they don't increase my 'net worth'.

Is that Windows 8 it won't work on? Did you try compatibility mode which I assume Win 8 has.
I did look at GnuCash a while back but was put off by having to start again! Couldn't see an easy way of converting my Money file.
If it's improved I might take a look for when Money inevitably won't work on a new PC any longer.

getmore4less

tracking needs an incentive. sometimes a short term goal first, then a medium term, then long term.

Start with a budget(short/medium/long term) and track to that.

if that is what is not working come from the other side savings.

Put the saving goal money to one side.

if the spend money runs out you need to work out why...... tracking

tyllwyd

I use home accountz (they've just brought out a new version)
http://www.accountz.com/pages/home-accountz


I've got it set up with the various bank/savings accounts and the various types of expenditure (utilities bill, entertainment etc). I log into the bank accounts every day (to keep the number of entries manageable) and manually enter the amount and the type of expenditure. You can set up direct debits etc to be entered automatically. After that, you can do quite a lot with budgeting, quickly seeing what you've spent in each category every month, forecasting your balance ahead over the month, things like that.

chuckley

funnily enough... consumer pulse!