30 Days to Financial Fitness: Day 1

A step-by-step guide to getting in peak financial shape; Day 1: Start tracking your expenses

Christine Benz 18 September, 2012 | 9:01AM
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Day 1: Start Tracking Your Expenses
Degree of Difficulty: Easy

Let's start with a fairly easy task: beginning to track your spending habits. There are websites and financial software programs devoted to helping keep close tabs on your household's cash flows, but tracking your expenses can be as simple as jotting them down whenever you find yourself opening your wallet or writing a cheque. Group your expenses into one of two main categories: fixed (i.e., spending that doesn't change and you can't do without) and discretionary. Get a start with this simple PDF worksheet.

Plan to keep track of your expenses for at least a month; that way you can identify patterns in your spending and zero in on your problem spots. Examining cash flows in this way is the first step in creating a budget that aligns with your priorities and the realities of your life. You may also find that tracking your expenditures will have the salutary effect of causing you to think twice before spending money on things you don't necessarily need.

Return to the article: "The 30-Day Financial Fitness Plan".

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

About Author

Christine Benz

Christine Benz  is director of personal finance at Morningstar and author of 30-Minute Money Solutions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Managing Your Finances.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures