How many spreadsheets do you have?

Teacher2

I have a paper account book and keep the equivalent of spreadsheets for:
-incoming and outgoing money
-current account containing the disposable money for the month
-standing orders
-holidays
-cars
-an account for the house
And I will open another, when necessary, for large expenses, for example, Christmas (the period contains three major birthdays too).

I always know, to a penny, where I am financially. It has been an effective system over 40 plus years.

LameWolf

I have three spreadsheets; one for my money, with separate pages for regular outgoings, my credit card, "earmarked" money for upcoming one-off expenses, and Cash Available; one for Mr Wolf's money with similar pages; and a separate spreadsheet for the Clarity credit card, with just the one page, which we use for either holidays or for large purchases where we're both going to contribute.

Money is allocated to credit cards the moment it's spent, so that all cards are always paid in full every time.

That's just the money stuff - I also have a spreadsheet detailing the contents of the food cupboards and the freezer, and my mealplan and details of grocery spending are also on that one.

[Deleted User]

I am impressed by you clever folk I have a big red book which I buy every year or so and write everything down in that I wouldn't have a clue how to even go about making a SS. I use a pen,book and a decent cup of coffee and everything seems to work out fine to the penny every month.Its how I have done it for the past 60 odd years so I must be doing it OK

MandM90

- Mealplanning spreadsheet (each month is a new tab, sometimes I randomly flick back for ideas)
- Budget planning - I use YNAB for day-to-day budgeting but I use this one to plan out 'ideals' and also play with things. For example, I'll be on mat leave next year so I had to forecast how long I can afford etc in advance
- Mortgage overpayment spreadsheet - which also tracks pensions on another tab
- Holiday itineraries

I don't buy enough Xmas pressies to warrant a spreadsheet: My in laws, mum, sister, husband, one friend, something tiny for my bosses and daughter. Have already sorted bosses and in laws and have plans for my mum. Money has been saved since Jan so shouldn't be a stress

tempus_fugit

kerri_gt wrote: »

Ohh, I like the idea of the energy tracking - useful for switching suppliers to see the usage YoY with history (not just the past 12mths)

Yes, it is a great help for that for having accurate figures instead of just a guesstimate.

tempus_fugit

unrecordings wrote: »

I've a tab for utilities in my household spreadsheet, and while I'm of a similar mind to other posters (heating is on when it needs to be on), it has proved useful in switching and when I've been incorrectly billed - for the latter noting the number of standing charge days is a good call because for dual fuel accounts the number of days sometimes gets out of sync

Yes, my heating is on when it is needed as well. I don't use the spreadsheet to tell me when to switch on the heating or not, as some posters seem to be thinking, but to have accurate usage figures for when getting switching quotes, and also to make sure that the direct debit is set to the right amount (not too high or low). It also means I have power to my elbow if the supplier decides to up the direct debit amount for one reason or another. I constantly see posts in the Energy forum from people where this has happened and they have no idea if the amount is right or not as they don't know how much energy, cost-wise, that they are using.

Capitalqueen

I keep a spreadsheet for every trip, even weekends away. Breakdown is
Travel
Accommodation
Food and drink
Shopping. (With comments on what was bought)
Entertainment
Miscellaneous. (Again with comments, eg laundry, insurance etc)
Visas
Daily total
Running total

It’s really for looking back and remembering. Luckily I don’t have to set any really budgets.

CFAF

RuralDreams wrote: »

I am so envious. I am a total disaster with tech and cannot even figure out how to do a worthwhile mortgage/overpayment spreadsheet

Me too. Although having become self employed in May of this year, I'm slowly learning. Tech savvy I aint!

MovingForwards

Spreadsheet for income / outgoings, it runs for a year then gets started over.

Spreadsheet to keep track of my savings accounts, a new one gets generated each year so I still have my old one to compare how things have progressed.

Christmas presents I keep track of either mentally or on a bit of paper.

Greenglockenspiel

I just have one spreadsheet which is for our finances. However I do also use Evernote for things like to do lists, shopping lists, ideas for presents for people, things we need to do to/get for our new house, etc. I like Evernote because I can use it on my phone as well as on the computer and it syncs up, so e.g. I can make my shopping list on the computer at home and check it on my phone in the shop.


I am planning to start a new spreadsheet in our new home with a list of items in the freezer and cupboards and their best by dates as well, as I'm not very good at rotating stocks.