Searching for a simple way to see where your money goes? A printable expense tracker is your free ticket to manage your finances better.
A personal expense tracker is all about keeping track of where your money is going.
It’s like having a fitness tracker, but instead of counting steps, you’re keeping an eye on your spending.
Discover my tools and tips in this article to record expenses daily, weekly, or monthly and make informed decisions to boost your savings starting today.
Key Takeaways
- People often struggle to know how they’re overspending until they sit down and list out all the things they buy- is it really important to buy these things?
- Let’s prioritize spending less and saving more by tracking where our money is going and figuring out how to stick to a budget from here on out!
- A daily, weekly, or monthly expense tracker is a great tool to measure and manage your money to see spending patterns and make informed financial decisions.
- The Savvy Mama Budget Binder is a comprehensive financial management system that includes a range of budgeting and expense-tracking tools to help pay off debts and achieve financial goals.
- Tools like Excel or Google Sheets are ideal for tracking expenses because they have flexible features that automate calculations to help users visualize spending.
Free Printable Expense Tracker Collection
It’s hard to stick to your monthly budget if you don’t know what you’re spending money on.
Many people end up struggling to stick to a budget until they track their expenses and see where they can be smarter about spending.
And that’s where my printable expense trackers come into play! You’ll use them to write down every bit and bauble you buy.
Now, I hear you asking, “Sounds good, but isn’t it a hassle or going to cost me money?” Nope, not one bit!
These free printable expense trackers are at no cost and ready to be your quick tool for tracking money.
It’s all about making it work for your life and your monthly budget, helping you track expenses without breaking a sweat (or the bank).
And the best part? My free printable expense tracker collection’s got you covered however you roll- daily, weekly, monthly personal expenses, you name it.
Daily Expense Tracker
Starting with a daily expense tracker is like having a little chat with your wallet every day.
Think of it like you are keeping a diary, but instead of secrets and personal thoughts, you’re writing down what you’re spending money on every day.
It’s a real eye-opener, giving you a play-by-play of where your money is going, which is super handy for nailing down those budgeting basics.
You’ll quickly see if you’re splurging a bit too much or if you’ve got enough money to keep up with your lifestyle.
The trick is to break down your spending into categories– think food, transport, and entertainment. This way, you get the full picture of your spending patterns, all on one page.
Weekly Expense Tracker
Moving on to the weekly expense tracker, think of it as your spending tracker’s big brother.
It steps budgeting up a notch, giving you an accurate picture of where your money is going each week.
This tool is perfect for tracking expenses and spotting trends, tweaking things as you go, and doing a weekly financial health check.
Checking in on your finances weekly means you’re not just mindlessly tracking; you’re actively engaging with your budgeting process.
Setting up a weekly tracker is a breeze- download my free expense tracker printable to track your weekly spending with the boxes provided.
Monthly Expense Tracker
A monthly expense tracker is like having a big-picture view of your finances where you check in how you did at the end of the month.
Think of it as your money’s monthly report card.
Tracking your expenses monthly lays out your monthly budget in an easy-to-see snapshot. This spending tracker helps you see the patterns in your spending habits.
You’ll notice the big monthly bills- like rent, power bills, and those monthly subscriptions- and get a full view of where your cash is going.
Just track expenses into the categories on my sheet, and boom, you’re on your way to getting your monthly bills under control.
Also, check out my bill organizer template to get help seeing what bills you have to track.
Savvy Mama Budget Binder
Individual trackers are great, but imagine having a comprehensive resource for managing your monthly expenses.
That’s what the Savvy Mama Budget Binder is all about.
But it’s more than just a collection of budget templates and expense trackers. The Savvy Mama Budget Binder is a full-blown system designed to empower you.
It’s your financial command center with multiple printables to get your finances under wraps.
Inside this binder, you’ll find everything you need to get a handle on your budget and financial habits:
- Simple Budget Planner
- Monthly Expense Planner
- Paycheck Budgeting
- Bill Payments Calendar & Checklist
- Debt repayment Tracker
- Savings Tracker
- and more!
Whether you’re sorting out your personal finances or keeping your business budget in line, this binder is your go-to essential tool for a monthly budget sheet.
FAQs
Why should I track my expenses?
Tracking your expenses can be a bit of an eye-opener.
It can be shocking for people to see their financial situation and where their money is going when those sneaky little miscellaneous items and impulse buys start to add up.
When you know what’s happening with your cash, you’re in the driver’s seat.
You can spot where you’re maybe splurging a tad too much and figure out where you can tighten up the reins to save some bucks.
It’s all about getting that control back and making your money behave. You’re making choices based on the real deal, not just guessing, and that can seriously boost your savings game.
Keeping tabs on your actual expenses helps you whip up a budget that actually fits your life, steer your finances in the right direction, and hit those money goals you’ve been dreaming about.
How can I start tracking my expenses?
Tracking your expenses is way easier than it sounds, and you can download my free printable expense trackers today to start.
They’re easy to download and are a great starting point for writing out your spending.
Start jotting down every payment you make. Whether it’s a coffee run or a big-time bill, write it down.
And don’t forget to keep tabs on what’s coming out of your bank account directly, like those automatic payments.
Peeking at your bank statements can also give you a really good look at your spending patterns.
Have you got all your expenses down? Great!
Now, take a moment to sort them out and really see what’s going on with your spending habits. This isn’t just about keeping track; it’s about getting those “aha!” moments about your money.
And hey, using a tracker printable? It’s a pretty solid first step towards becoming a boss at handling your finances.
What is too much spending?
“Too much spending” is a bit like eating too much candy– it feels good at the moment, but you might regret it later.
Too much is what turns into a problem, especially when it comes to missing your financial goals or saving up that crucial emergency fund.
If you find yourself never having a penny saved, sneaking shopping bags into the house, or drowning in credit card bills, then you’re probably spending more than you should.
How to put the brakes on? Start by really thinking about what you need versus what you want.
That latest tech toy or daily gourmet coffee might seem essential, but are they more important than feeling secure with your money?
Try to figure out what’s a must-have and what’s a nice-to-have. Decide what things can wait, and prioritize where you’re money is going.
Setting some boundaries for your spending can really help keep your income and savings in harmony.
Can I use Excel or Google Sheets to track my expenses?
An Excel spreadsheet and Google Sheets are great digital means to track your expenses. They’re super handy for putting together your own expense tracker without much fuss.
They have templates ready to use, where you put in your info, and the formulas do all the math.
You can sort your spending into categories, jazz it up with some colors for the important bits, and even get a visual with charts based on your categories.
And get this: they’ve got some cool shortcuts and functions that make the math part a breeze.
Need to figure out your total spend for the month or how much you’ve saved up? There are easy formulas for that.
Excel and Google Sheets are pretty much your DIY toolkit for tracking your expenses.
How do I cut back on my expenses?
Are you looking to dial down your spending habits and cut expenses? There are a few steps to take to cut back.
Step 1: Track Your Spending
First up, let’s shine a light on where your cash is disappearing. Download and print my free trackers above, and start tracking every dime you spend.
This step is your foundation– knowing what you’re dealing with is half the battle.
It’s pretty eye-opening to see it all laid out, and honestly, it can be a bit of a game figuring out where you can reel things in.
Step 2: Needs vs. Wants
Have you got your spending all laid out? Great! Now, let’s sort it into two camps: needs and wants.
This part is crucial to see what could’ve been skipped to keep more money in the bank.
Needs are your non-negotiables, like rent and groceries. Wants, on the other hand, are those things that you can live without, even if they’re super tempting.
Seeing your expenses this way helps put things into perspective and sets the stage for smarter spending decisions.
Step 3: Practical Strategies to Cut Back
Alright, now that we’ve identified the essentials and the extras, it’s time to get strategic.
Think about cooking more meals at home, cutting back on daily indulgences, or saying goodbye to subscriptions you rarely use.
Step 4: Align with Your Financial Goals
This is where it all comes together. Every decision you make about your expenses should be moving you closer to your financial goals.
Want to save money? Are you dreaming of a big purchase?
By prioritizing your spending based on your needs and smartly managing your wants, you’re not just saving bucks; you’re building a future you’re excited about.
It’s all about ensuring your money works for you, not the other way around.
Should I create a budget?
Yes! Absolutely! Creating a budget is a game-changer for managing your money smartly!
It’s all about knowing what cash is going in and out, saving up for the fun stuff or the must-haves, and keeping enough in your pocket for a little spontaneity.
Think of it this way – your budget is like your money’s best friend.
It helps you keep an eye on your expenses, boost your savings, and still lets you enjoy your spending without that end-of-the-month panic.
It’s pretty much a no-brainer. By giving every dollar a job, you’re making sure you’re hitting those financial goals, big or small.
Plus, it’s a great way to slap a high-five to your future self by cutting back on those “oops, did I really need that?” moments.
What are other ways to budget money?
Have you ever tried cash envelopes? They’re a solid way to set limits on different categories of spending.
You have all your spending money in cash, and you put the money into set categories- if there isn’t enough in the envelope, you have to pass.
Or maybe a budget app is more your speed for keeping everything streamlined.
We use Empower on top of tracking expenses and budgeting by hand.
It syncs with all your accounts, shows your spending across multiple cards and accounts, and helps you create a budget and track if you’re on a budget or not.
Final Thoughts
Expense tracking is a powerful tool in personal finance management.
Whether you choose to use a daily, weekly, or monthly tracker or a comprehensive solution like the Savvy Mama Budget Binder, the goal remains the same: to gain control over your finances.
By tracking your expenses, you can understand your spending habits, create a realistic budget, and make informed financial decisions.
So, why wait? Start your expense-tracking journey today and take the first step towards financial freedom.
