Budgeting
I've always wanted to know where all my money goes, so this month I started keeping track of all of my expenses. I'm really happy about how it's going so far; I have a Google Spreadsheet that looks something like this:
DatePaymentCategoryDescription 6/1/2006CheckMonthlyRent 6/1/2006CheckEntertainmentGuitar Hero 6/3/2006CreditFoodBITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE OAKLAND CA 6/3/2006CreditFoodBITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE OAKLAND CA 6/3/2006CreditTransportationUNION 76 18039842 BERKELEY CA 6/5/2006CashDancePrivate with Jurga 6/6/2006CreditDanceGroup Rumba with Jurga 6/6/2006CreditMedicalEL CAMINO HOSPITAL 650-988-7853 CA 6/9/2006CheckStupidityParking ticket at Berkeley (Check 163) 6/10/2006CashFoodJason's birthday dinner, Rockbottom Restaurant (me + liz) 6/10/2006CreditFoodCREPES A GO GO BERKELEY CA 6/11/2006CashFoodLunch with Liz, Hobees 6/11/2006CreditTransportationBART MILLBRAE STATION 5104646979 CA 6/11/2006CreditShoppingH & M #80 SAN FRANCISCOCA 6/12/2006CashDancePrivate with Jurga 6/12/2006CheckMedicalRadiologist for broken finger (check 164) 6/13/2006CashFoodPearl milk tea @ Tapioca Express
Simple, but effective. Naturally, I record the amounts as well, but I've leaving them out here.
Extrapolating out, among other things, every month I spend about:
- $340 on dance classes
- $200 on food
- $130 on gasoline
Interesting.