Budget Question

I like to break everything down in my budget:
mortgage, utilities, car maintenance, clothes, etc.
It is driving me nuts though having a notebook and putting it all separate. I was thinking of just keeping all the monthly bills in the checking account and the rest in a savings account.
Wondered how everyone else does it. Thanks :)

Re: Budget Question

I use excel- I have a monthly budget- then I break it out by week- this totals up what I need weekly - and helps me keep track of what's due

then I have 3 bank accounts

checking- don't really keep $ in here- just when I need to pay something

savings - this is for monthly bills- I transfer to checking as needed

money market- this is for long term savings


I am also self employed- so I use excel t keep track of how much I make that month- I try to work a month a head- so right now I am working on money for July

Re: Budget Question

excel is wonderful for this because you can put in an easy formula to do the math for you.

i have two: one for EXPECTED expenses and one for ACTUAL amount spent... this way i can see which category needs to be worked on.

as far as where i keep the money: it's all in my checking account and i have automated transfers into my long term savings on payday... that way, i dont' even see the money

Re: Budget Question

I use Quicken. There is a what IF program that helps you plan for the unexpected.

It categorizes and I can download into excel and upload from credit cards and bank ccounts.

Re: Budget Question

I use Excel because it's so easy to work with and manipulate the data. But I'm going to look into using mint.com, which was featured in the WSJ. It's an online tool that pulls info from your bank accounts and all of your bills to help you access your finances.

As far as where I keep the money, we only have 1 checking and 1 savings account. All of our money goes into checking and then every other week money is automatically transferred into our savings. Each week we each get "week money" which is cash to pay for our miscellaneous items throughout the week, including dinner out, getting my nails done, etc.

Re: Budget Question

Thanks :)

Re: Budget Question

Re: Budget Question

It's in version 8 or 9. I have to go take a look at it again.

Re: Budget Question

Try looking into mint.com. My DH loves it.