What is an Expense Tracker?Īn expense tracker is a tool that lets you keep track of your expenditure. Otherwise, you can download my ready-made template and start tracking immediately. That means you’ll be able to build your own project expense tracker, personal finance calculator, or budgeting sheet from scratch. By the end, you will know how to design an customize a spreadsheet according to your unique requirements. After that, I’ll show you how to create your own Google Sheets expense tracker.
I’ll show you how to use it as is and how to customize it for your specific situation. The first part of my guide talks about my budgeting template. In this tutorial, I’ll show you two ways to use Google Sheets to track your expenses. You don’t need to request edit access! Expense Tracker Tutorial NOTE: Click on File > Make a Copy to be able to edit your template. Instead, I prefer simple spreadsheet applications like Google Sheets.Ĭlick here to download Spreadsheet Point’s free Google Sheets expense tracker template. And I don’t like having to pay for fancy paid apps to track expenses. I consider a budget absolutely essential to hitting money goals. How does this stack up against Quickbooks?.Can I connect my bank accounts to the expense tracking spreadsheet?.Common Questions about Expense Tracking with a Spreadsheet.Create an Expense by Category Pie Chart.Cell Validation to Avoid Accidental Category Entries.Advanced Functions of the Expense Tracker.Creating a Google Sheets Expense Tracker from Scratch.Creating a Bill Tracker / Expense Tracker Using the Built-in Monthly Expenses Template in Google Sheets.How to Create a Google Sheets Expense Tracker.Money Dials could include things like fitness, convenience, luxury items, travel, self-improvement , and social status. By honing in on your Money Dials-the things you really love to spend on-you can prioritize your spending in a way that makes sense for you. Following this logic, you categorize your expenses into essential fixed costs, important investments, savings goals, and-last but not least-guilt-free spending.īy allocating space in your budget for the fun stuff (minus the guilt), you’re more likely to stick to that budget in the first place. Instead, consider trying a conscious spending plan. The truth is that living a life of constantly telling yourself “no” isn’t sustainable (or enjoyable). Many people assume that effective money management means scrounging, saving, and never enjoying life. You might also have smaller, more short-term goals, like saving for your dream wedding or buying a luxury car. Smart money management can help you achieve those objectives. You likely have some financial goals in your life, whether it’s improving your net worth, paying off your college student loans, or achieving FIRE (financial independence, retire early). But without planning for expenses, a big income can lead to big debt. But it doesn’t have to be! I spoke with a couple in episode 114 of my podcast who overspent on holidays because their earnings combined were a lot.
The entire point of these tools is to simplify money management so you can think about your money less, not more.įor many people, budgeting and planning for big expenses like vacations are a struggle. Simplified spreadsheets help develop your plan, and budgeting apps, like those that automate expense tracking, help you stick to it. Finally, you need to stick to your plan.īudgeting spreadsheets and tools are great resources for creating a conscious spending plan. You then need to decide how much money to allocate to each bucket. You need to start with a bullet-proof budget, categorizing all of your expenses into one of these four buckets: fixed costs, investments, savings, and guilt-free spending. Conscious spending is a great way to enjoy life while still building a financially secure future.