OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD 2012

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Balancing the Checkbook..

Confession is good for the soul. So here I go. As a rule, I do not keep a written ledger for my checkbook. I check the online bank account everyday and "balance" everything in my head. Yeah, right. I know, in order to get my finances in order I need to at least start with my checkbook. So, this morning I printed out my checking account and started my checkbook ledger (again). Everything is written down and accounted for. And I am holding myself accountable for the money I have spent, and I can actually see it leave my account as I subtract the transaction immediately after the sale. This is a step in the right direction. The next step is to utlilize my recent purchase of YOU NEED A BUDGET, a spreadsheet that will track my spending. I found out about YNAB (You Need A Budget) from a fellow blogger Life Goes On.... She has had great success with the program and I am hoping to do the same. So, the secret is out, I have not kept good accounting of the money I have. I am on a mission to change that pattern and seek out better ways to be accountable to myself.

2 comments:

Maria said...

Thanks for the mention! It's a good thing to balance your checkbook, but you'll find on YNAB that it's not necessary. The spreadsheet works it out for you and lets you know the minimum you should have in your account.
But, with that said, you should initially balance to the penny so you have a starting point! Good luck! I know you'll love it!

lndsymaria said...

Thanks for the mention! It's a good thing to balance your checkbook, but you'll find on YNAB that it's not necessary. The spreadsheet works it out for you and lets you know the minimum you should have in your account.
But, with that said, you should initially balance to the penny so you have a starting point! Good luck! I know you'll love it!

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