So, now that I'm a student again, I'm making $600 less per month and I need to start watching my bottom line. I've come up with a figure of how much I can spend on personal items per month--food, clothing, entertainment etc...

Does anyone have any ideas on how to keep track of it, though? Or have stories on how it worked for them? Like maybe just pay in cash?


Thanks

7/21/2008 1:22:11 PM

Just eat at home, don't go to bars and the movies, and do all your own vehicle maintenance. Sorry, that's all I've got.

7/21/2008 1:26:37 PM

http://www.mint.com

its free and its the best thing ever

you can create your budget on there and it will track it for you

it also creates interactive pie charts and you can compare your spending to other people in your city or in the US on different purchase categories.

7/21/2008 1:28:14 PM

I just use an excel spreadsheet. Estimate costs, and budget accordingly. Then just a program a few small cacluations and you can pretty easily see if you are on target or able to save or go into the red.


^ that sounds cool, but i just don't like having my personal info on the web if i can help it.

7/21/2008 1:36:04 PM

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7/21/2008 1:43:05 PM