A new year means fresh speadsheets!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
A new year means fresh speadsheets!
9
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 8:45am

Last night I sat down with a big pot of tea and set-up a number of spreadsheets for myself for 2010.

Kate


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Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 11:53am
I was just working on them yesterday, LOL! I, too, get SO excited over the darn things. Just CRAZY. I make one for gifts/occasions (by date with name, gift idea, and all the numbers columns for budget), one for Christmas, one to track spending (I gave up on the programs that do it for you - nothing is ever just right for me so I do it myself and it's perfect), and of course the budget. I'm sure if our ends ever meet that I'll have a few more in the mix, but right now we're in survival mode. But, BOY, do I love a shiny new spreadsheet!

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Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 12:33pm

I've found that working on my spreadsheet also brings a smile to my face.

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 4:43pm
Oh Norma, you're still waiting?

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 4:45pm
Sarah, a gift spreadsheet?

Kate


empty purse

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2008
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 4:52pm
Yep, I'm still the lady in waiting .....

Norma


"Patience is the best remedy for every trouble"- Plautus


Avatar for sohappilyme
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 4:53pm
They really are helpful! I started mine when I realized just how much we spend on gifts throughout the year. Small Valentine's gifts (literally small, but we have five kids so small adds up), Easter baskets, birthdays (kids, us, parents), Mother's and Father's Days, Halloween expenses, etc. It's sort of my seasonal expenses list, LOL. But I put a budget amount and an actual amount spent, plus it auto-calculates the percentage I am over/under budget and the actual number of dollars I'm off by. It could be considered a tad obsessive, but it will definitely open your eyes to see how much those "once a year" events add up!

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Sarah
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2009
Thu, 12-03-2009 - 10:26pm

You ladies are funny getting excited about spreadsheets...


I can't seem to do it or get excited about it...feel overwhelmed when I see how long things take...


I do everything on paper but am forever changing things around...


I'm sooooo organized about everything except this damn budgeting...I think my head is going to explode but I will continue to try...


Duke


PS Now appliances and furniture are things to get excited about...lol

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-24-2007
Fri, 12-04-2009 - 8:19am

Duke, I left you a note on another post about how this process gets easier.

Kate


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-08-2005
Fri, 12-04-2009 - 2:34pm
I must admit I have never made a spreadsheet for my own finances (pathetic since as a part-time office manager, I am pretty well equiped in the computer know-how). I still do mine on scratch paper, embarassingly enough usually the back of an envelope, month by month. I really need to sit down and figure up a regular budget and stick to it. Problem is right now there is more outgoing than incoming $! I know that sometimes seeing things in black and white goes along way to keepin your spirits up, kinda knowing there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am using our tax return to get current on all our bills (right now several are runing a month behind - nothing crossing that 30 day mark) Then i will do a spreadsheet when I know exactly what will be. I am sure I will be coming here for help and advice!

Angel


Wife to Wayne, Mommy to Tyler (15), Nickolas (3) and Noah (1)Follow Me to All Boys!

Angel

Wife to Wayne, Mommy to Tyler (15), Nickolas (3) and Noah (1)