I'm ready to do it right

**Jaded** · 08-02-2007, 08:01 PM

Starting tomorrow, I'm keeping a track of every penny I spend! I would start today, but I already lost two of my receipts. Guess I could estimate.

Is there a thread on how to make a price and spending notebook? Someone posted a link for a budget site, and I thought I bookmarked it, but I must not have.

I'm getting more organized every day on my debt. I'll have the credit card paid off in another month, and start working on that delinquent tax bill. Also, I'm almost caught up on my LAST overdue bill, my phone bill. Hopefully, that will be caught up soon too. I've been paying extra every month, paying down the back balance. Everything else is caught up.

I know it's taken me awhile, but seriously, until my anti-depressants really kicked in, I couldn't think straight enough to do this. Now I'm clear headed, and ready to get going!

I want to thank you ALL for so much encouragement over the last couple of months. I was so desperate when I came here, and now I'm so grateful for all I've learned here, and knowing that I can get this under control, even on my measly little paycheck!

**DJ1972** · 08-02-2007, 08:27 PM

Good for you! Writing it down makes a huge difference.......if I only I would write down my food intake too lol, one thing at a time.

**babymakes5** · 08-02-2007, 08:42 PM

I bought an expense record to keep track of my expenses, like you would use in business.

**sunray16** · 08-02-2007, 10:22 PM

The budget site I use is bugdetsimple.com

**frooz** · 08-02-2007, 10:37 PM

Doesn't it feel good to be in control!

**dcompton** · 08-02-2007, 11:45 PM

Congrats! Being in control is a LOT of work, but it pays off, both financially and psychologically. I agree with DJ1972 -- yeah, should do that dieting routine too! Tra la la.....

**FrugalMomof3** · 08-03-2007, 12:33 AM

I think it's great, your taking the first step

You could just use a regular notebook too, a business expense book you could get a Office Depot or Staples would work great too!

**Domestic Gal** · 08-03-2007, 10:13 AM

Glad you finally have a clear head and are taking charge.
You will have things under control in no time.

**pammy** · 08-03-2007, 11:43 AM

Sounds like a great plan!!

**Mom23boys** · 08-03-2007, 12:05 PM

Good for you!! It is great that you are taking the steps to get your spending under control.

I use an expense report notebook that I purchased from Wal-mart and write everything down. I also make a note as to why I spent that money at Wal-mart, Target, etc. Example: $9.98 school supplies for DS#3 When I look back through the month I know why I spent it and if it was an unneccessary expense, I think of how to change my habits.

Good luck!

**sdrjeolsen** · 08-03-2007, 01:08 PM

good luck, sounds like you have a great plan going there.
I keep track on the computer. I put my spending in quicken every day, including cash. I also track my budget that way. I keep 3 months worth of entries in my register for future expenses (paychecks, exact items -insurance, mtg, etc. and catagory expenses such as a gas expense, food expense, etc) and then when I spend anything, I go in and deduct it off the appropriate catagory. That way, I can see the impact of each purchase on my future bottom line.
Doesn't it feel great to be in control!

**Dancing Lotus** · 08-03-2007, 01:24 PM

I am goint to put a small note book in my purse and write down every penny. I have credit cards to apy off and now i have a lot of dental work to pay for.

**Little Birdie** · 08-03-2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by sdrjeolsen

I keep 3 months worth of entries in my register for future expenses (paychecks, exact items -insurance, mtg, etc. and catagory expenses such as a gas expense, food expense, etc) and then when I spend anything, I go in and deduct it off the appropriate catagory. That way, I can see the impact of each purchase on my future bottom line.

I do the same thing in an Excel spreadsheet. I have it all worked out through December 31, 2007. And instead of categories, I even have the dates of all my trips to the gas station tentatively planned. Known dates and amounts are in regular type and estimates are in italic. Every time I spend something or deposit something, I record it to the penny and I change the background color to light grey so I can tell pst from future.

Right now we are living off of savings. The bank account doesn't go negative until mid-October. At one time it was set to go negative in mid-August. This system is extreme, but it is working for me!

**Buckeye5** · 08-03-2007, 04:49 PM

I am glad that things are picking up for you. Everything helps when you have a plan. I too, am trying to stay ontrack, but have had some set backs, hopefuuly within the next month things will be back on track for me. Keep up the good work, and you are right, this is a great place for support and ideas.

**Jaded** · 08-03-2007, 08:21 PM

I've decided to keep a key envelope in my purse for receipts, then put them into excel for now. I have Microsoft Money, but I don't know how to use it. I took Quicken off, because I never used it. I'll try to learn to use Money, and see how it goes, then I'll put everything in there.