Anyone obsessed with their financial spreadsheet?

Steameh

Good morning all,

Since creating my financial spreadsheet back in August 2007 I find I have become a little obsessed with checking it and making sure my finances are in order. I find myself checking it a number of times throughout my working day, even though I know nothing is due out or no changes have been made I can't help myself.

I suppose it is a good habit to be in as I am so in control of my finances now. Before I had my spreadsheet I had no idea what I had left to see me through the month, direct debits were setup for different times of the month so was constantly missing payments and going into the red. It was disastorous. I would go as far to say creating my spreadsheet is the best financial decision I have ever made.

I also find myself wishing my life away also. I look at my spreadsheet for this year and just wish it would be Dec 2008 as on paper, I'd be in a great position and just can't wait to see if I can actually manage it.

Anyone else a little obsessed too? Do you check it unnecessarily?

kiyamr2

I dont have a spread sheet as such I have 3 bank accounts with 2 different banks.

I bank on line

1 bank account is purely for DD and other bills.

My other 2 accounts are in another bank, in 1 account is the money I have to live on whilst being a student, on a termly basis. I then transfer what I need to live on from that account to another account on a weekly basis.

I check mine at least 2 times a :rotfl: day. It feels like I am control of my finances that way.

Is this normal do you think ?:rolleyes:

Steameh

kiyamr2 wrote: »

I dont have a spread sheet as such I have 2 3 bank accounts with 2 different banks.

I bank on line

1 bank account is purely for DD and other bills.

My other 2 accounts are in another bank, in 1 account is the money I have to live on whilst being a student, on a termly basis. I then transfer what I need to live on from that account to another account on a weekly basis.

I check mine at least 2 times a :rotfl: day. It feels like I am control of my finances that way.

Is this normal do you think ?:rolleyes:

I have one bank account, one savings account and my credit card account. I can view all 3 on first directs internet banking plus and I find myself checking that between 3 and 6 times a day. It's madness, but as you said, I feel I'm in control.

Because my spreadsheet is more easily accessible I check that even more lol. Just to make sure it is in line with what my bank, savings and cc account say.

twirlypinky

I check mine several times a day too, and I'm so proud of it. I also download my statement most days (if it's changed) and update it, and I'm always tweaking the formulas to make it a bit more clever! Totally obsessed so no, you're not alone!
Tpx

mrsspendalot

I am just the same .... often find myself just sitting and staring at the spreadsheet for no reason at all .... it certainly won't have changed since the last time I looked (about an hour ago, lol)

Steameh

Thank god for that then lol.

I'm really proud of mine. Created it from scratch and it is quite clever.

I have one tab for the whole year which lists each month and what direct debits are coming out. Also lists remaining debt and savings.

Then I have 12 other tabs for my monthly spenditure.

Mine is stored on my usb memory stick also so I take it everywhere with me.

chocaholic110

I don't have a financial spreadsheet but I do have a little book of finances (I actually call it that in my head) and I'm always scribbling in it and checking and forecasting in it. I also check Egg Money at least once a day.

I am a bit obsessive, I think, but obsessiveness seems to be paying off.

kiyamr2

I think I will become alot worse when I have all my totals of what i owe to people and then put them in my siggy at the bottom.

Megatimbo

Hello all i dont use a spreadsheet as such always reminded me of algebra from my school days with regards formulae and such like

I use Microsoft Money 2005 UK edition which is fab and i check it regularly to update my outgoings incomings etc, i find it gives a good overall picture without being too over the top.

I`ve tried Excel but didnt like it for everyday use athough i have a workbook that someone did on here and have a play with the figures and i like the graphical side of it.

I suppose it comes down to what works for you and each to their own

Regards M

EverTheOptimist

I'm still working on the spreadsheet, but regularly check that, even tho i know it won't change

My obsession is my online banking, constantly check it anytime i'm near a computer.

Reason: partly for control, making sure an unexpected DD hasnt come out. partly for fear of someone stealing what little money I have, constantly on look out for fraudulant activity - how sad!!

my last DD for the month has come out of my account, (i use diff account for spending money, GC budget etc) so there will be no change to the balance til end of jan but i will continue to check it daily!!!

ETO
x

twirlypinky

Megatimbo wrote: »

I`ve tried Excel but didnt like it for everyday use athough i have a workbook that someone did on here and have a play with the figures and i like the graphical side of it.

I suppose it comes down to what works for you and each to their own

Regards M

I'm a management accountant (believe it or not!) so I'm not too bad with Excel. Who am I kidding? I love it and I want it's babies.