Most people have a rough idea of what they spend, and most people are surprised when they write it all down. You don't need a budgeting system or a spreadsheet to change that. A few minutes a week and a short review each month is enough. Here is a simple routine you can follow with Expense Manager in Private Journal Pro.
1. Start with a few categories
Too many categories make recording a chore. Start with six to ten broad ones, for example:
- Home (rent or mortgage, bills)
- Groceries
- Transport
- Eating out and takeaways
- Shopping
- Subscriptions
- Everything else
Add income categories too, such as salary and side income. You can split a category later if one grows too large to be useful.
2. Record as you go
The easiest time to log a payment is straight after you make it. Private Journal Pro works in your phone's browser, so it takes a few seconds while you're still at the till. If that's not your style, set aside five minutes at the end of each day or week and go through your bank app.
3. Review once a month
At the start of each month, set the date range to the previous month and look at:
- Total expenses: filter by "Expense" and check the total at the bottom of the list.
- Income against spending: compare it with the total for "Income".
- Your biggest categories: sort or search the list to see which categories take the most.
Write two or three sentences about it in your diary: what surprised you, and one thing you'll try next month.
4. Change one thing at a time
Pick a single category to work on, such as takeaways or unused subscriptions. Small, specific changes are easier to stick to than a complete overhaul, and the next month's review will show whether it worked.
5. Keep it private
Money can be a personal subject. Your entries in Private Journal Pro are visible only to you, with no ads and no sharing of your data.
Get started
Expense Manager is included in the free plan, with up to 40 entries, enough for a month or two to see whether the routine works for you. Create your free account.