Tracking Spending

I'd say a lot of people use Google Spreadsheets or Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.

It might be worth looking on www.appsmania.com they post up all the useful web based applications on there and you might just find what you're looking for.

Just recently found www.mint.com. It links to your bank account and provides a lot of information. I am a little leary about using it since you have to provide your username and password to connect to your account. If you read the fine print on your online access agreement with your bank, it usually says that any type of fraud protection is contingent upon not revealing your login details to anyone (including services like mint). My bank confirmed that if there is fraudulent activity on my account and it is traced back to mint, they will not cover it. Mint only offers $500 max protection.

Discouraged, I searched google for budget templates and came up with a few. I also use a program called HandWallet on my Palm based PDA to track everything I spend. Makes it easy to keep track of real time balances and also provides some handy charts to figure out where all your money is going. It is a real eye opener. Of course, the programs just make things a little easier to track. Everything I am doing can be done with paper and pencil. I am not that organized yet. :P

I forgot to add this: http://www.pocketmod.com/

It is a neat little way to create a check balance register that could easily be used to track spending with paper and pencil. :)

Wow...I really like the pocketmod!

Wow...I really like the pocketmod!

-"zionokc"

Yeah, it comes in handy for other things too. :)

I'm intrigued by Mint...but the potential for massive fraudulent action is just too much to risk right now. I really wish they had some sort of privacy guarantee that wouldn't make me incredibly nervous to give this a shot. I want to try it so badly...but I know I'll be kicking myself if anything were to happen. Oh well, I guess I'll just stick with Google Docs right now.

I love the idea of Mint.com but it's too risky in my opinion. I know they use some of the best security technology, but the fact that my bank's terms of service does not allow giving out passwords makes it not worth it.

I love the idea of Mint.com but it's too risky in my opinion. I know they use some of the best security technology, but the fact that my bank's terms of service does not allow giving out passwords makes it not worth it.

-"Jon"

I agree. One thing to note, I was told that if the bank has a contract with the service provider, then it is covered. Maybe bugging your bank is in order. I might start bugging mine.

I wanted to TRY mint.com but they don't have my bank - thus they're 100% useless. :(

I use Clear Checkbook - it does what I want it to quite nicely.... and there are NO bank details to steal!

I wanted to TRY mint.com but they don't have my bank - thus they're 100% useless. :(

I use Clear Checkbook - it does what I want it to quite nicely.... and there are NO bank details to steal!

-"Jennifer"

Oooo, I like this one! :D

I love the idea of Mint.com but it's too risky in my opinion. I know they use some of the best security technology, but the fact that my bank's terms of service does not allow giving out passwords makes it not worth it.

-"Jon"

And besides, you must be an U.S. resident in order to use it. Lame isn't it?

I built a little program in Lotus Notes 8 years ago to track spending. Most internet banking sites will let you download your transactions to a text file and you can just use that to import right into another program (like the one I made). Then you just have to use your bank card for everything you buy. And the program lets you categorize each item so they neatly fall under their respective categories when you look at them. You can see per month how much you spent on what.

Now, having done this for the past 8 years, I can say it has had absolutely no effect on my spending habits... :P It's just helped us look at what was spent where. The other battle is still in my head.

i use excel
rows are monthly bills
columms are biweekly periods to coincide with paydays
some paydays i pay certain bills, utilities and the other biweekly check i pay the mortgage and maintenance
at the bottom are debit purchases a bunch of spaces
and then cash purchases with a bunch of spaces
at the top of each column is my net pay
most of the time i am able to restrict purchases so as to not incur debt
i can't imagine not keeping track

I wanted to TRY mint.com but they don't have my bank - thus they're 100% useless. :(

I use Clear Checkbook - it does what I want it to quite nicely.... and there are NO bank details to steal!

-"Jennifer"

Thanks for the suggestion. I signed up today and I am also recommending it to others.

anyone have any recommendations for open source or freeware personal accounting software?

Edit: Oops! N00b here. I see from the links off of Leo's post today a very long comments thread with many great recommendations: http://zenhabits.net/2007/05/6-great-free-alternatives-to-quicken-ms-money/. Great ideas. Thanks.

Update - I am using GNUcash now and like it very much. I was trying to avoid it because I found the older versions buggy, but the new version seems to work very well. :)

I like clearcheckbook.com I just started one and it's pretty helpful and it's easy to understand too.

I'm using Quicken, but I don't need all the functionality, I am not sure I want to keep upgrading forever, etc.

So I've been looking around for new software, too. One free online tool that looks excellent that hasn't been mentioned here is Buxfer (http://www.buxfer.com/). A few nice features: you can make budgets, and you can keep track of who owes you money.