What Budgeting Tools Do You Use? - Page 3

Lynnae · 03-03-2008, 01:45 PM

I've heard excel spreadsheets work great. I am a spreadsheet idiot though. LOL I keep telling myself that someday I need to learn how to use one.

amyschiff · 03-03-2008, 06:43 PM

For now, I really just use a calculator on my mac. I check my checking account balance online almost daily and am always keeping track of what items haven't been deducted/deposited yet. That way I figure out what my *real* available balance is in the event that EVERY payment I've made should get posted to my account at the same time. Then based off that *real* balance I decide how much I'm comfortable spending and if I can shove any over to my savings.

Wow, that seemed a lot simpler in my head....Almost makes me think I should get some sort of software to do that work for me hehe...

girlfromsouth · 03-04-2008, 10:00 PM

At the moment I am trying a pocket notebook and the light budget calculator on DAve Ramsey's site. I think that I'm going to need something more automated than this (I have a history of not being as diligent as I could/should be about writing down things), but I don't know where to start entirely. I'm such a bad budgeter anyway, it makes me avoid it.

cigood · 03-20-2008, 05:47 PM

I use Intellipenny (www.intellipenny.com). You can use it to track bank accounts, credit cards, etc. and you can use it for budgeting. (Also, I think it's on sale right now.)

beansac · 03-24-2008, 02:29 PM

I use a white board and when I need to, transfer to a spreadsheet in Excel. But the best, I mean BEST budgeting tool is being German. It's hard for us to spend money on useful things, much less superfluous 'needs.'

Lisa23 · 03-28-2008, 06:01 PM

I hate to be locked in by any software- and it often gets more complicated than I need it to be. Excel is nice because I have control. Even though I have to input the data (as it doesn't upload data like those fancy softwares), I find it much more user friendly.

In fact I have most of my Life on an Excel Spreadsheet. It keeps me organized -

Lisa

03-03-2008, 01:45 PM	#21
Lynnae Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 58 Reputation: (11)	I've heard excel spreadsheets work great. I am a spreadsheet idiot though. LOL I keep telling myself that someday I need to learn how to use one. __________________ Lynnae beingfrugal.net

03-28-2008, 06:01 PM	#26
Lisa23 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Massachusetts, USA Posts: 100 Reputation: (13)	I love my excel spreadsheet I hate to be locked in by any software- and it often gets more complicated than I need it to be. Excel is nice because I have control. Even though I have to input the data (as it doesn't upload data like those fancy softwares), I find it much more user friendly. In fact I have most of my Life on an Excel Spreadsheet. It keeps me organized - Lisa

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

03-03-2008, 06:43 PM	#22
amyschiff Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lansing, MI Posts: 223 Reputation: (23)	For now, I really just use a calculator on my mac. I check my checking account balance online almost daily and am always keeping track of what items haven't been deducted/deposited yet. That way I figure out what my real available balance is in the event that EVERY payment I've made should get posted to my account at the same time. Then based off that real balance I decide how much I'm comfortable spending and if I can shove any over to my savings. Wow, that seemed a lot simpler in my head....Almost makes me think I should get some sort of software to do that work for me hehe...

03-04-2008, 10:00 PM	#23
girlfromsouth Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Washington DC Posts: 36 Reputation: (10)	At the moment I am trying a pocket notebook and the light budget calculator on DAve Ramsey's site. I think that I'm going to need something more automated than this (I have a history of not being as diligent as I could/should be about writing down things), but I don't know where to start entirely. I'm such a bad budgeter anyway, it makes me avoid it.

03-20-2008, 05:47 PM	#24
cigood Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 12 Reputation: (10)	I use Intellipenny (www.intellipenny.com). You can use it to track bank accounts, credit cards, etc. and you can use it for budgeting. (Also, I think it's on sale right now.)

03-24-2008, 02:29 PM	#25
beansac Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 32 Reputation: (13)	I use a white board and when I need to, transfer to a spreadsheet in Excel. But the best, I mean BEST budgeting tool is being German. It's hard for us to spend money on useful things, much less superfluous 'needs.'