Tracking spending question.....
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Tracking spending question.....
| Tue, 08-09-2005 - 3:29pm |
When you write down everything that you purchase, do you also include what your DH/SO purchase also? What about groceries? I am not sure how to get him to do this. We had the checking and ATM put in his name only because I can't be trusted to not spend on junk. Is it best to check with him daily or have him give me receipts, or what? I have just started this, so I don't know what to do. Just curious what you all do and what your systems are.
Thanks!!
abby
Thanks!!
abby

I personally track everything in Quicken. I have catagories for everything--and I mean everything. I even have a catagory for DD's school supplies--LOL.
DH gives me all his receipts at the end of the day, when he gets home from work. He doesn't spend a lot, so it isn't much work.
To make it easier, I have a coupon keeper that I set up, to help me keep track of receipts. I have a slot for debit receipts, one for cash expenditure receipts, one for atm receipts and one for credit card receipts (hopefully I will never have to use that one again). At the end of the day (usually after the kids go to bed) I empty the receipts and put everything into quicken.
I know some use excel spreadsheets. However, you do have to get DH/SO's receipts in order to get a good handle on spending. Of course that's just MHO, and if you keep your finances completely separate then I would say you only have to track your expenses, but they have to be completely separate. I don't think it would work if you both paid household bills, even if it comes out of different accounts.
Kellie
Thank you for the input. I will keep track of everything! I am trying to use Quicken, but I can not figure it out yet, so I will just keep everything on paper until I can put it in there. On my on-paper budget, i also have a category for everything and I am finding myself adding new ones every day. I am not sure if that's a bad thing, though.....LOL
thanks again!
abby
Even though the acct etc is in your DH's name, having him give you receipts is a great checks and balances. I do all of my tracking in Excel. I also have a ton of catagories, but that makes it easier for me to see the leaks. I love it and wouldn't do it any other way!
Nicola
I have only started tracking my spending, using excel for that. I do not track my husnand's spending, he's not that willing to comply, considers it rather unecessary, but since I am the one doing most of the shopping, that's okay right now.
My excel has not much categories - just on elong list. I write down when and where the purchase was made, and what it was. I split supermarket bills into tings like groceries, sweets, beverages, because to me that makes alot of sense. And I also list anything that is deducted from my bank account in there, with date and purpose. So far it works fine for me :-)
Greetings, Jordis
ivy_jordis
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