Free money (tracker)

Your income

Just your take-home pay, which is what you control and spend.

Cash reserve

A reserve equal to 3-6 months of take-home pay.

Savings

A portion of your income set aside to fund your retirement.

Fixed expenses

Expenses that you must pay over the course of a year.

Replacements

You also must pay to replace things that eventually wear out.

Weekly allowance

Partly discretionary, partly not; paid by cash from your pocket.

Periodic purchases

Discretionary purchases paid by check periodically.

Future purchases

Big-ticket discretionary purchases that you must save for.

Summary

A summary of your income and where it goes—and where you are.

QuickForm

You can switch to this format once you're familiar with the method.

Tips

Ideas to help pare your expenses.

Labels: Excel