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  4. #freshstart2017: Track Your Spending

#freshstart2017: Track Your Spending

January 13, 2017
By: Nicole White
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You've already counted up your money, tallied up your debts, and hopefully now have little bit of a better idea of your finances. You know what that is? It's a budget! Sneaky, I know.

Retro Adding Machine 1
credit: swilmor/iStock/GettyImages

Now take all of those good numbers and compare them to each other. Subtract the expenses from the income. Anything left over? Yes? Good job! Put that money in savings or pay down debt -- make it work for you. No? Let's fix it.

For most people, budgeting comes into play once they realize there is usually too much month left at the end of the money. Today is a great day to start tracking all of your purchases. For most of us, that just means reviewing your debit card transactions, but you have to count the cash stuff, too!

budget sheets
credit: Jamie Stoltz

Download one of these beautiful budget worksheets and get started, it won't take that long.

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Pastel graphic design HERE

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Take a look at your spending: Where can you cut back? Do you buy a coffee on the way to work every day? Don't. Paying for a gym membership that you never use? Cancel it.

This is all really easy to do - on paper. It's putting these thoughts into action that can be tough. If you struggle and slip up, don't feel bad! Just do better the next day. If you need to leave your debit card at home so you can't buy a latte, then do it. Whatever works, right?



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