Took Half the Day, but I did it!

**AmyBoz** · 01-02-2004, 08:38 AM

Well, it took most of my New Year's Day, but I did it! (Okay, dh and I did it together.) We went back and updated Microsoft Money with our American Express bills, completely itemized and then updated Money with our checking and savings information, so it is all at our fingertips. Now we can really look and say, "Hmmm...how much did we spend on gifts last year," or "How much did we go out to eat?" This is really going to be helpful to us, I believe. We used to be adamant about it, and now we are really going to be on top of it again.

I also started a cash spending journal. I am going to write down every day how much cash we spend, since Microsoft Money doesn't track cash spending. (I'm sure it could, but this way is easier, I think.) Dh said that he will "report" to me and let me know if he spends any cash during the day, but since his resolution was to lose the weight he regained (he lost 65 pounds last year and gained a few back over the fall) he's not going to be buying any snacks or soda at work, so that should help too. So, with one day into the New Year, so far, no money spent.

**Mom23boys** · 01-02-2004, 10:09 AM

I have Microsoft Money and have never used it. Do you really like it Amy? How hard is it to enter everything? My biggest fear was messing up and then not knowing the correct info.

**DawnM** · 01-02-2004, 11:18 AM

Congratulations Amy! I know it's a big job. We do the same thing with Microsoft Money every year. Those reports are really eye-opening - everything is there in black and white. Based on them, we also project and plug in the entire up-coming year right down to the last cent. I spent a little time yesterday as well, tweaking the numbers after one last discussion about our priorities for this year ... but we're off and running for 2004 and I hope to be able to save in a few areas that I noticed I could do better.

I think there is a way to set up cash accounts with MSMoney but as much as I tried one year, it just got things all messed up when I went to reconcile the first bank statement of the year, so I dropped it, reversed everything and have continued to keep cash journals in my palm (pda) for certain categories to see the breakdown, and see how I spend my own cash.

Happy New Year!

**guest2** · 01-02-2004, 11:24 AM

WTG!

**frugalmel** · 01-02-2004, 01:01 PM

Good for you Amy! (and dh

) So glad your dh and you are committed to doing this together. Its really great.

I have started with money this year. I am not sure if I am smart enough for it, but I will give it a shot. LOL