Money guides for tracking spending and saving more
Plain, practical guides that work with a notebook, a spreadsheet or an app. They're general information about managing everyday money, not personal financial advice.
Tracking
How to track your spending and keep doing it
What to record, when to log it, and a weekly review that takes ten minutes.
Read the guide CashHow to track cash spending
Three methods, the ATM double-counting mistake, and the envelope method.
Read the guide Net worthHow to calculate your net worth
Assets minus debts, step by step, with a worked example.
Read the guideFree templates
Free income and expense tracker template
A spreadsheet for Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers, with a monthly summary.
Get the template TemplateFree monthly budget template
Planned versus actual for each category, with income at the top and the difference.
Get the template TemplateFree net worth tracker template
Assets and debts by month in Excel or Google Sheets, with net worth worked out for you.
Get the template TemplateFree travel expense tracker template
Log costs in the currency you paid and see the trip in yours, by category and by day.
Get the templateSaving
Money saving tips that add up
Big fixed costs first, then subscriptions, food, banking and habits.
Read the guide FoodHow to save money on groceries
Plan from what you have, compare unit prices, and throw less away.
Read the guide ChallengeNo spend challenge: rules and a free printable
How to run one for a weekend or a month, with a tracker to print.
Read the guide SavingSinking funds: what they are and how to set them up
Save monthly for yearly costs, with 12 categories and a worked example.
Read the guideBudgeting
The 50/30/20 rule, explained with real numbers
Needs, wants and savings, with an example on $4,000 a month.
Read the guide PaycheckHow to budget your paycheck, step by step
Match bills to paydays, save first, and plan for the third paycheck.
Read the guide BudgetingZero-based budgeting: how to give every dollar a job
Plan every dollar before the month starts, with a full example on $4,000.
Read the guide CategoriesBudget categories list, with percentages
15 categories with subcategories, a rough share of pay for each, and a $4,000 example.
Read the guide PrivacyBudgeting without linking your bank
What you gain and give up when your tracker never sees your bank login.
Read moreStart with today's coffee.
There's no account to make first. Open the app, tap minus and type the amount.
Free on iPhone. Needs iOS 17 or later.