Good morning, savvy savers! For this weeks Savings On The Go With A Cup of Joe series post, I wanted to discuss one of the easiest ways I have found to save my family money, an itemized savings book. Many bloggers will tell you that you need an expansive home management books, a series of expensive, embellished printable savings packets, or a series of blog-themed e-books and seminars in order to keep your finances in order. For me, for my family, I simply do not believe that these items are necessary.
In order to keep all of my bills, expenditures, savings account goals and deposits, as well as retirement savings projects in one place, I used an old-school, $2.99 4-column pad, from the Office Depot, to keep a log of my monthly expenses!
The book holds all my expenses at a glance. I divide the book as follows:
- Space 1: Expenses Named
- Column 1: Amount Owed, Per Month
- Column 2: Amount Paid, Per Month
- Column 3: Interest Accumulated
- Column 4: Balance Owed
I find that having an actual book helps keep me accountable for my expenses. For me, physically writing down what I owe each month, seeing how much interest I pay, helps me keep not only my finances in order, but to have a piece of mind in knowing that my financial house of cards is in tip-top shape!
This is one method that has helped me stay financially responsible, and I hope it might help you as well.
Here’s to saving!
