EXPENSE TRACKERS PRINTABLE HOW TO

Our financial life is made up of behavior patterns, but it’s too hard to see the patterns during everyday life. I asked them to note what they spent, what they spent it on, what category the purchase fell into, and the date.įrom just these four pieces of information, you can learn so much about yourself, what you value, and (of course) where your money is going. When I taught high school economics, I generally assigned my students to keep track of their spending for a week using expense trackers like these.

EXPENSE TRACKERS PRINTABLE HOW TO

You might also like: How to Save $5000 in 6 Months Or Faster (With Progress Chart!) So easy, a teenager can do it Then, at the end of the month, you’ll know EXACTLY where all your money went! Once you know that, you’ll be able to set a budget, save for big expenses, pay down debt, or meet whatever financial goals you have. In just a few seconds a day, you can track all your purchases, bills, and expenses. Am I spending more on regular or unexpected expenses?.Do I spend the most money with cash, credit cards, debit cards, or platforms like Payapl or Venmo?.What categories am I spending the most in?.Here are some potential questions an expense tracker can answer: You use different trackers depending on what kind of information you need. Using expense trackers like this is the first step to setting a killer budget and, therefore, financial freedom. Though most people might think tracking and budgeting are the same thing, they’re actually not! Before you can make a plan and set a monthly budget, you need to know what your expenses are. This can highlight areas of your lifestyle that might benefit from some trimming. Using an expense tracker can help you know how much you’re spending. I know I tend to talk more about frugal living here, but you do need to spend money eventually.

According to Mint, 65% of Americans don’t know how much they spent last month. If you’re ready to stop being one of them, I’ve created a free printable expense tracker to help you out.

Expense trackers printable