I have finally uploaded the first version of the Expense Report spreadsheet. It’s not much, yet, but with your input and suggestions, I will definitely make improvements.

The goal of this spreadsheet is simple: Input every single cent that leaves your person. In order to get accurate data, you must track every single penny of every single transaction that takes money away from you. Regardless of if it’s a quarter in a parking meter, a $5 fast food “meal,” or a $200 microwave, you must add it to the spreadsheet.

Also do not forget to include any payments to loans or bills that arrive. I input the date the check was written or the bill pay transaction hit as the date in my spreadsheet. You may choose to mark the date the bill arrived or its due date. It doesn’t really matter what date you use as long as you use the same one every time and you enter every single bill.

At the end of the month, create a new sheet and start tracking all over again. Eventually, you’ll have enough data to know where all your money is going. Use that data to reign in spending where you can and set a workable budget.

Ok, now it’s your turn. Download and use the spreadsheet and see what happens. Let me know how or if it helps you and what the spreadsheet might be lacking. I look forward to hearing from you!

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Note: I uploaded the spreadsheet in Office 2007’s format. If you are using an older version, make sure you have the Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack installed to be able to open the file. I will do what I can to make sure the spreadsheet is workable in older versions, but I cannot fully support anything less than 2007.

(c) 2007-2009, That One Caveman, http://www.thatonecaveman.com

*** Note: The spreadsheet is complete and uploaded. You can find out more in the post about it.

Sorry about the delay in releasing the Expense Tracking Spreadsheet. In the process of preparing a sample spreadsheet, I realized I should probably write a tutorial of how to actually use it. It uses pivot tables, which many people are unfamiliar with. As soon as I get that complete, I’ll post it for you to use.

In the meantime, I would recommend using the “old-fashioned” method of tracking your expenses – a mini notebook or a Moleskine. You should make sure to track when and where purchases were made, how much you spent, and what category (or categories) your purchase falls under. If you have multiple categories in one receipt, make sure to write only the appropriate amount for each category. That is one very quick place budgets fall apart – a single receipt with multiple categories isn’t broken out, so all that money falls incorrectly under one category.

And when you have the tracking spreadsheet to use, don’t ditch that notebook. The second common failing of budgets are untracked expenses. That’s why you must make sure to write down the transaction as soon as you can after it happens and then transfer it to the spreadsheet later. You may forget by the time you get home how much you spent on lunch or you may completely forget that you dropped some change in a collection kettle. Yes, track that, too! Track every single penny that leaves you. Only then can you really have a good view of your overall expense picture.

(c) 2007-2009, That One Caveman, http://www.thatonecaveman.com