The Free Tools I Use

by Donalda
(Spragge, ON)

I use a number of free tools to handle my budgeting.

My first tool is the check register that came with my checkbook. I keep this in my wallet and record EVERY purchase. This does a lot to help me know my balance at all times. Sometimes a transaction doesn't clear immediately and (for example at restaurants) the amount initially deducted from my checking account it's complete, like with tips. This way, I always know how much is in my account.


By far the most powerful tool is www.mint.com. It will look log into your bank account and look at your previous balances and transactions to determine where how much money was spent on what.

Based on that information it will build a budget for you that you can tweak. Once your budget is made, it will continue to track your spending and send you alerts if you are not following the budget. This was the starting off-point for my budgeting.

Every month, I shave a little off the maximum budget and I adapt to that new amount. This I learn to be more frugal. I've seen my saving sky rocket and credit card balances plummet as a result of this practice.

I use Google Docs to write about my financial goals. I keep a journal of my progress in the word processor and in the spreadsheet, I keep a tally of my goals.

Every week, I update my credit card balances (which I'm paying off), savings, current accounts, and investments. This gives me an accurate and up-to-the-week look at my net worth.

Knowing how well I'm doing is the most powerful tool to keeping my finances under control.

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