Today is Day 5 of our 10 Days to a No Stress Home Management Binder series and it’s all about using the free spending tracker printable and saving trackers below. Aren’t you excited? I know I am!
If you had asked me a few months ago what was my most dreaded task, I would say it was doing the finances. I couldn’t keep up with our spending. And Amazon… we just had a bad relationship. I needed to create healthy boundaries and was failing.
Free Spending Tracker Printable (with Savings Tracker)
Spending was out of control and I had to implement the Amazon Rule (check out How to Stop Spending When You’re Trying To Cut Back to see what I mean). Luckily for both of us, I actually look forward to managing my finances daily.
Today I am going to give you the EXACT tools that I use so that you can get your spending and your savings on track. Ready? Of course, you are!
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Remember when I told you that I love doing the finances daily? It’s not because we are swimming in $$ – far from it since we live on a modest 1 income from my husband’s job.
The joy actually comes from knowing:
- how much money was spent
- where was the money was spent
- why was the money spent
Do You Have All of Your Supplies for Your Home Management Binder?
Just in case you are just joining this series, simply grab the items below to start. You will also need the printables from the following posts :
- What to Put in a Home Management Binder
- How to Create a Realistic Cleaning Schedule
- Using Free Home Maintenance Printables to Organize Your Home
- Free Family Organization Printables
- Binder (Purchase a binder if you cannot find one around your home)
- Hole puncher
- Printing paper
- Binder Separators
- Pen
- Protective sleeves (optional)
- Markers, crayons, colorful tape, etc (optional)
- label maker (optional)
Use the items on the Amazon below to get started with your home management binder. Please note that affiliate links are used below at no cost to you.
AmazonBasics 2-Inch Round Ring Binder, White, 4-PackAmazonBasics 2-Inch Round Ring Binder, Mixed, View, 12-Pack400 Sheet Protectors, 11 Hole Lightweight Binder Sleeves, Designed to Protect Frequently Used 8.5 x 11 Papers, Acid and PVC Free Page Protector, Clear Plastic Design, 9.25 x 11.25 Top Loaded, 400 ctBostitch inPRESS 20 Reduced Effort Three-Hole Punch, Silver, Black (2220)AmazonBasics Paper Binder Dividers, Writeable 8-Tab, 4/PackAvery 5 Tab Plastic Binder Dividers with Pockets, Two Tone, 1 Set (11988)
Knowing where your money is going is so important in getting a handle on your finances. You won’t have to wonder if you can afford something or constantly tell your spouse we can’t afford something when you have no clue what’s happening in your account.
Using the Spending Tracker printable
This spending tracker printable is pretty simple to use BUT it must be updated regularly. Regularly means either daily or every other day- not every week because you won’t be able to notice anything that way.
Step 1:
Print a copy of the spending worksheet. Each account needs its own sheet.
Step 2:
CREATE a category for each purchase. Common ones are FOOD, HOUSE SUPPLIES, and ENTERTAINMENT.
Step 3:
Log into your chequing account
Step 4:
List EVERY item that shows up in your account since the beginning of the month (or your current pay period).
Step 5:
What category seems to be used the most? Is it avoidable? Make a note at the end of your sheet.
I hope these trackers help you get a better grip on our finances! Feel free to comment or email if you have any questions.