I’m more inclined towards Excel because I’m an accountant by training and at the same time the current Excel 2007 has quite good looking charts and graphs that’s very useful.

The useful thing about excel is that you can track long history and have lots of data over time.

Different tools work well depending on what you’re looking for.

Be well and prosper.
Panzer´s last blog ..Maybank iSavvy Time Deposit Rates

I got the idea from Automatic Finances. This blogger also talks about having a system to handle your finances without worrying too much. I read about Ramit’s system too. Very similar indeed. I am considering to adopt a similar system as well.

As for managing my finances now, I am using Money Manager EX. It is pretty easy to use and the software display charts showing where your money goes to. Pretty sick of my boring excel spreadsheet though.

Cheers.

Agree. I’ve seen reservist die at 32 piahing for IPPT. No point amassing all the wealth to enjoy little of it while we are still alive
Panzer´s last blog ..Maybank iSavvy Time Deposit Rates

The technique you mention sounds like Ramit Sethi’s “I Will Teach You to be Rich”.

Actually, taking note of expenses is doesn’t take me more than 2-3 minutes a day because it’s become a habit with me. I have a worksheet that will compute total variable (discretionary e.g. coffee/small luxuries) and fixed expenses (service and convervancy, utilities, diapers) and also how much of my disposable income I save each month.

This is an approach taken from “Your Money or Your Life”. It can be time consuming to set up the system in the beginning but now it’s pretty autopilot, i.e. I feel that something is missing when I don’t record my expenses down

For me, the recording of expenses make me aware of where my money is going and tends to make me very conscious of my spending patterns. Thus, I can make adjustments more frequently from seeing the data. For an accounting/audit trained chap, it works! haha!

Different strokes for different folks. I have 4 bank accounts but make use of mainly Maybank iSavvy to maximise interest (at 0.75%) and one for salary credit and one for making payments. I track my total net-worth in my personal net-worth worksheet so I know where my net-worth is allocated over cash, equities, etc.

Be well and prosper.
Panzer´s last blog ..Maybank iSavvy Time Deposit Rates

A way to spending without worrying too much is to automate your finances by linking your accounts together in a organized structure.
Taking note of every expense is tough and time-consuming.

With automation of your finances, you can spend money without worrying if you have paid your bills, saved for the month.

Cheers and all the best.
Andre´s last blog ..Personal finance in a nutshell for people in their 20s Ep 2

That is the right attitude. You only live once. Don’t over save and under spend.
createwealth8888´s last blog ..Is Home For You to Retire Or to fund your Retirement?