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If you aren’t sure how much you spend for items such as meals, gas, or entertainment, start a spending notebook. Carry the notebook with you and keep a daily record of what you spend for the next two or three months. Write down everything you can think of—even if you buy a cup of coffee or a magazine at the convenience store. At the end of that time, add what you have spent, divide the sum by the number of months, and use the results to complete this worksheet.
Expenses |
Amount per Month |
Rent or house payment
|
$
|
Utilities
(heat, electricity, water) |
$
|
Telephone and/or cell phone |
$
|
Groceries |
$
|
Transportation
(car payment, ride sharing, gasoline, bus fare, parking fees) |
$
|
Tuition or other education fees |
$
|
Insurance
(car, health) |
$
|
Child support |
$
|
Snacks/meals eaten out |
$
|
Clothes |
$
|
Charitable donations
(church or other contributions)
|
$
|
Credit cards and other loans |
$
|
Entertainment
(movies, shows or concerts, etc.) |
$
|
Savings* |
$
|
Personal
(grooming, toiletries, etc.) |
$
|
Pet Care
|
$
|
Other
|
$
|
Other |
$
|
Total Monthly Expenses: |
$
|
*If you think of saving money as a regular monthly expense, you will be more likely to stick to a savings plan.
|
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