Do you use any applications to keep track of your finances?

[TW]Fox · 21 Dec 2011 at 23:48

Pug said:
Wow - I'm amazed people spend time doing that sort of thing!

I think we'd probably be better off as a country if people took finances a bit more seriously than just spending on random stuff until the overdraft arrives and then eating beans until payday

chaparral · 21 Dec 2011 at 23:55

Shicky said:
Do you use any applications to keep track of your finances?

I use the speedbank to check to see if there any numbers in front of the zero

Strife212 · 22 Dec 2011 at 00:01

Used to have excel charts but can't be bothered any more, just roughly work out expenses in my head.

Gackt · 22 Dec 2011 at 00:30

Excel. I account for all the important stuff, bills, debts, etc, then I just record whatever junk I spend the rest on.

icedbullet · 22 Dec 2011 at 00:55

I use numbers on my iPad. I keep track of my monthly bills, savings and income (tax, nat ins etc) on different sheets.

Philtor · 22 Dec 2011 at 01:00

Online banking and common sense is all you need unless it's a business.

Hatter The Mad · 22 Dec 2011 at 01:02

I've been looking for something decent for the Mac for ages now

Gangster · 22 Dec 2011 at 01:06

my head.

Buchanan0204 · 22 Dec 2011 at 03:03

Am I the only person who thought this said, "Keep track of fiancees!!!!"

Would have made for a much more interesting read

Biohazard · 22 Dec 2011 at 03:24

My head.

majestyk · 22 Dec 2011 at 04:31

Quicken 2000.

Shicky · 22 Dec 2011 at 05:06

Buchanan0204 said:
Am I the only person who thought this said, "Keep track of fiancees!!!!"

Would have made for a much more interesting read

yes.

Seems MS money is the resounding winner, seems mint isn't available for uk users. I'm assuming I can't hook up numbers on my iPad to UK bank accounts?

I really need to get myself in order, stupidly difficult with living abroad randomly though. On my return home for xmas I am going to kill myself with how busy I'm going to be

Richie · 22 Dec 2011 at 06:35

Google Docs spreadsheet for me. Means I can access it on my Android phone or any internet enabed PC as well and update/check things from there.

Admiral Huddy · 22 Dec 2011 at 08:17

I use a simple spreadsheet i created years ago.. The balance includes items as forthcoming D/Ds etc so the balance shown is always the correct one. I then tick these off against my statement once a month. It basically tells me this is how much i really have to spend.

It's a little sad but then I've never been overdrawn and something I've always done. On-line banking has made things easier but it still doesn't account for those forward movements..

Freefaller · 22 Dec 2011 at 09:36

I just use a spreadsheet for my budgetting and tracking works well if you're not shy of doing a bit of work. You should know what your fixed outgoings are so it should be fairly easy to prepare.

On hte iphone I have an "accounts tracker" app, which is quite handy, but needs ot be updated everytime a transaction is made. To be honest, I keep a track on my spreadsheet, and see if I'm on track/ahead/behind budget for the month so I can forecast how much I'm saving etc... As a result of this, I've pretty much been able to pay off some big loans whilst still going on several holidays a year.

Malakite · 22 Dec 2011 at 09:52

I just built myself an excel sheet to use. I build reports for banks so one to keep my own finances in check wasnt too difficult

LiE · 22 Dec 2011 at 10:04

Excel. Simple income, outgoings, savings etc. Allows me to tailor each month so that we have the right amount of luxury money and can make sure we get as much into savings as possible.

1 account which all direct debits are paid from.
1 account which is pure luxury money - day to day spending i.e. clothes, movies, going out. This is joint with my wife.
1 account for savings.

koolpc · 22 Dec 2011 at 10:06

I just check my online account every day

MacRS4 · 22 Dec 2011 at 10:13

Pug said:
Wow - I'm amazed people spend time doing that sort of thing!

Depends on your situation really. I mean if you just get paid 1000 a month, know you have 400 bills, and the rest is play money - then game on I guess.

Personally I have multiple income streams, with that complex outgoings (think rental properties), tax considerations, and also investments.

You can't manage those in your head.

Incidentally, I use MS Money for pretty much all of my stuff.

dekez · 22 Dec 2011 at 10:35

Interesting thread, financial stuff is gradually getting more complex for me, I currently have a spreadsheet for keeping track of monthly / quarterly bills etc. I was considering expanding this and importing statement downloads from banks, but I may give microsoft money a go instead.