Step 21

Document your spending

It is time to record your fixed, variable, and periodic expenses in the first column of the Expense Worksheet; do not worry about the other columns at this time.

This worksheet will help you to identify expenses that can be reduced and prevent impulse spending.  The process may be time consuming, but it is vital to gaining control of your finances. 

After you have calculated the total of your existing expenditures, add your income information.  For this, it might be helpful to refer to your Income Worksheet.

Subtract the amount of your total monthly expenses from the amount of your monthly net income.   If your expenses exceed your income, rest assured that there are ways to balance the budget.

Keep your Expense Worksheet handy, it will soon become your roadmap to financial wellness.

Expense Worksheet

EXPENSE WORKSHEETFrom
Worksheet
Adjusted1st Month2nd Month3rd Month4th Month5th Month
BudgetActualBudgetActualBudgetActualBudgetActualBudgetActual
FixedRent or Mortgage Payment
Home Equity/2nd Mortgage
Life/Health/Contents Insurance
Auto Insurance
Child Support
Church/Charity
Monthly Debt Payments
Savings
Total Fixed Expenses$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0
VariablesFood at Home (Groceries)
Meals & Snacks on Job
School Lunches
Meals Out
Electricity
Gas/Heating
Water/Sewer/Garbage
Phone/Long Distance/Cellular
Cable/Satellite
Internet Charges
Gasoline
Bus Fares/Parking/Tolls
Family Clothing
Uniforms
Dry Cleaning/Laundromat
Cleaning Supplies/Personal
Barber & Beauty Shop
Children's Allowance
Baby Sitter
School/Tuition/Activities
Cigarettes/Tobacco/Alcohol
Recreation
Books/Newspapers/Magazines
Video/Book/Tape/CD Clubs
Hobbies/Lessons
Doctor Visits
Dentist
Medicine
Bank Charge/ATM
Postage
Total Variable Expenses$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0
PeriodicBack to School
Car Repairs/Tires
Tags/Inspection
Gifts - Holiday
Appliance Repair
Maintenance/Repair
Home
Total Periodic Expenses$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0
MONTHLY NET INCOME
SURPLUS/DEFICIT$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0$0