ᐅ How do you keep track of your household budget? Paper-based, software, or an app?
Created on: 31 Mar 2015 15:08
S
starnight
Hello everyone,
I’m new here, although I’ve been reading occasionally for a while.
My husband and I are planning to buy a house within the next 1-2 years. We have equity saved, and we are currently putting aside a certain amount each month while still living comfortably. So right now, it seems quite feasible. However, we are actively planning a family at the moment... which means that eventually one income will be lost (fortunately the significantly lower one) and additional expenses will arise.
Now we would at least like to get a clear picture of our current monthly expenses. This would help us roughly estimate whether, with one income, there would still be enough left for mortgage payments, especially with an additional family member to support.
So my question is: how do you keep track of your household budget? Paper? Software? App? Online? What experiences have you had with the different methods?
Maybe your insights can save me from unnecessary trial and error.
Thanks in advance for your answers,
starnight
I’m new here, although I’ve been reading occasionally for a while.
My husband and I are planning to buy a house within the next 1-2 years. We have equity saved, and we are currently putting aside a certain amount each month while still living comfortably. So right now, it seems quite feasible. However, we are actively planning a family at the moment... which means that eventually one income will be lost (fortunately the significantly lower one) and additional expenses will arise.
Now we would at least like to get a clear picture of our current monthly expenses. This would help us roughly estimate whether, with one income, there would still be enough left for mortgage payments, especially with an additional family member to support.
So my question is: how do you keep track of your household budget? Paper? Software? App? Online? What experiences have you had with the different methods?
Maybe your insights can save me from unnecessary trial and error.
Thanks in advance for your answers,
starnight
ypg schrieb:
You can overdo it, though. You might be right. I started doing it about 10 years ago.
But it has an advantage: if a device or something breaks, I can check when it was purchased. Is it still covered by warranty or an extended guarantee? A quick search in Excel—usually I find it—and then I at least know in which random annual folder (warranty invoices are generally kept only in a collective folder) to find the receipt.
Okay, I admit—that’s a silly argument when it comes to a roll (bread roll). But what would be the point of listing one item (including warranty) separately (and deducting it from the total invoice) while setting the others as a lump sum? Better to record everything individually—in the evening, while watching TV, during the umpteenth rerun of a movie or wherever a show is on that my wife likes and I, as a man, have to reluctantly endure.
f-pNo schrieb:
Okay, not the best argument when it comes to a sandwich. But what would be the point of listing one item (including warranty) separately (and deducting it from the total invoice) while applying flat rates to the others?It would make more sense to consider the flat rate for Saturday breakfast or work breakfast (sandwiches):
If you think about how much you spend on the Saturday sandwich bag, the cake package for Sunday, or the daily sandwiches...
I kept a household budget book 15 years ago. Purchased cake rarely enters my house anyway, but the sandwiches became bread and a pack of cheese and cold cuts that I store at work on Monday for the whole week.
You should definitely allow yourself the luxury of having a sandwich breakfast with your family, though you can skip the expensive croissants... your waistline will thank you as well.
ypg schrieb:
also the line appreciates it too Well – there’s nothing left for me to mess up. Not even the house construction helped.
But – nothing disfigures a beautiful person. Besides: a beautiful back can delight, and a great stomach can too.
f-pNo schrieb:
Well – at this point, there’s nothing left for me to mess up. Not even building the house helped .
.That’s an Excel thing. I’ve heard there are people who go jogging during TV reruns.
ypg schrieb:
That’s because of Excel I’ve heard there are people who go jogging during the TV rerun
And then end up having trouble with their partner because they don’t spend enough time together anymore.
(You see – you just have to find the right excuse every time .)
Similar topics