Tracking Expenses
Key PointsTrack your expenses by noting what you bought, how much it cost, and its category like dining, entertainment, etc.Make a list of all things you spend money on or will need to spend on in the future, considering categories like rent, utilities, groceries, etc.Use an app, spreadsheet, or other method that suits you to keep a record of your spending.After the first month, evaluate and adjust your spending plan, looking for ways to cut non-essential expenses or earn more income.PAUSE BEFORE CONTINUING: Follow The Video Exercise ---->Tracking expenses means keeping a record of everything you spend your money on. You can use an app on your phone or a spreadsheet on your computer to track your expenses, or both like myself. Whatever you do, just create a system that works for you.Whenever you spend money, track what you bought, how much it cost, and what category of expenses that falls into. For example, “Purchase: Restaurant, Price: $29.50, Category: Dining Out.” Apps can make this fairly quick and simple to do, but you have to create a habit around doing it after every purchase or at the end of each day or week. Otherwise the expenses can pile up. Why is this important?By keeping track of your expenses, you can see where your money is going and make informed decisions about how to adjust your spending. You might also discover that you're spending more on certain things than you realized, which can help you identify areas where you can cut back and save money.And here is another opportunity to relieve your money anxiety. If you’re not sure how much money you’re spending on eating out, but you “feel” like it’s a lot, ignoring your expenses will only create anxiety or poor financial decisions and move you further from living your best life. Ok, let’s do it.Make a list of all the things you spend your money on or will need to spend your money on over the next year.It might be helpful to look back through your expenses over the past few weeks or months. This will give you a pretty good idea of what you might spend money on in the future. If you are new to managing money, then ask your parents or adults in your life to help you with identifying your expenses. We have outlined a few below that you might want to consider. You may also want to create your own categories that make sense to you and what you want to track. Rent or mortgage paymentUtilities (electricity, gas, trash, water, internet)GroceriesTransportation (car payment, gas, car maintenance, public transportation or rideshares)Insurance (health, car, renter’s)Healthcare (doctor’s visits, etc.)Entertainment (eating out, going to the movies, streaming services, etc.)Personal care (skincare products, clothing, makeup, etc.)Education (tuition, books, etc.)Miscellaneous (gifts, unexpected expenses)SavingsPro Tip: Don’t stress too much about your spending plan in the beginning. The point is to learn how you spend your money and create a plan that you can review and adjust. After the first month, you can evaluate how accurate your spending categories are and make any changes you want to for next month. You can also consider looking for additional ways to try cutting some of your “want” expenses (i.e. eating out less) or looking for more ways to bring in money (i.e. picking up a shift waiting tables or babysitting). Warm Regards, Patty NewbyPublished November 5th 2025