In a previous blog post, we explored how tracking your earnings and organizing them into monthly summaries can empower smarter financial decisions. Now, let’s focus on the equally crucial task of monitoring your expenses. Whether you’re a freelancer, small business owner, or simply someone who wants to keep a close eye on spending, this guide will help you create a straightforward expense log without relying on expensive apps or professional bookkeepers.
💡 Who Should Use This Spreadsheet?
This method is ideal for individuals and small businesses with straightforward financial needs. If you’re running a complex enterprise, professional accounting advice is still recommended. For most everyday users, however, this spreadsheet provides clarity and control without added costs.
🛠️ The DIY Expense Spreadsheet
I’ve designed a user‑friendly spreadsheet that allows you to manually track your expenses. No need to link your bank accounts or credit cards to third‑party apps that charge monthly fees. With this spreadsheet, you’re in control of your financial data.
👉🏽 Useful spreadsheet: https://erickouassi.gumroad.com/l/vbsad
📌 Getting Started: The Two Tabs
Sheet1: Expense Entry
Each row represents a single expense entry. Here’s how it works:
- Date: Enter the date of the expense.
- Time: Note the time if relevant.
- Purpose: Select from a predefined list of categories (e.g., office supplies, travel, meals).
- Amount Spent: Record the expense amount.
- Notes: Add any relevant details for your reference.
- Month: Automatically generated based on the date entered.
Don’t worry if you miss a day; simply input expenses whenever you remember, and they’ll be correctly categorized by month.
Sheet2: Insights and Analysis
No manual data entry is required here—it pulls information from Sheet1. Use this sheet to gain valuable insights:
- Comparisons: Notice trends—did you spend more on gas this month compared to last?
- Frequency: Track how often you visit the garage, car wash, or purchase accessories.
- Business Decisions: Armed with this data, make informed choices for your business or personal finances.
✅ Benefits
- Simplicity: Easy to use, even for spreadsheet beginners.
- Clarity: Provides a clear overview of monthly spending patterns.
- Control: Keep ownership of your financial data without third‑party apps.
- Cost‑Effective: Avoid subscription fees and bookkeeping costs.
📌 Where to Get It
The spreadsheet is available on Gumroad: https://erickouassi.gumroad.com/l/vbsad
⚠️ Disclaimer
This blog post represents a collaborative effort between myself and Copilot. While the initial draft originated from my creative mind, Copilot contributed its expertise to enhance clarity and structure. The final edits and revisions were made by me. If you notice any grammatical errors or issues, please reach out—your feedback is invaluable! 🙌📝