SPENDING

DIARY
 The wisdom of keeping a record of your spending
We don’t always remember each and every small amount that we spend. E.g., you might pop
into a shop and pick up a snack or soft drink, a small grocery top-up or give some pocket
money to your child. Because it is just a small amount, it is easy to forget about it, but when
you start to note it all down, it might amaze you how much it all adds up to, even over a short
time. It is all too easy to just tap your card and then move on with the day. This is a habit
that can cause real trouble with keeping a limit on your spending.

Keeping track:

Try to keep the receipts of every purchase (large or small) so you then have a record to help
your notes be as complete as possible, when filling in the daily tally of your spending (it also
means that you don’t have to carry the chart around with you!) If you forget or don’t have
time to note everything down, on a particular day, you will then have the records easily
available to you to accurately note everything down, when you make the time to do this. After
that you can dispose of the receipts to prevent clutter!

Small steps, big difference:

Even, after your first week, you will be able to see where your money is going and possibly find
something that you feel could perhaps cut out or limit.

It may feel very ‘old-fashioned’ to write things down, in this way, but it often is the best
method of really showing, at a glance, exactly where your money goes.

Spending pattern:

Try to fill in your spending diary, every day, it takes very little time to do. You will begin to see
your spending patterns revealed to you, within a few days. The key to successful budgeting is
to be totally honest with yourself. After a short number of weeks, your spending patterns will
become very clear to you and help you to spot the spending that can be limited or even cut
out.

If you forget something, that you remember about a few days later, don’t worry about putting
it in on a later day, unless it is a large amount, in which case you could note it down in today’s
listing.

Remember that this is your Personal Spending Diary,

to help you to keep track of where your money goes.

Free online budgeting apps:

If you decide that using an app would suit you better, please find below some suggestions of
some free apps you could download and use, but there are quite a few out there to choose
from. If one app does not work for you, try another. The main thing is keep an accurate and
honest record that, once you get into the habit, you can keep going, with minimal effort.

ToshlFinance MoneyJar

Money Saving Expert Budget Planner Money Dashboard

As with all apps and web sites, pay very close attention to the permissions and cookies that
you agree to.
WEEK 1 - (Start as you mean to go on!)
DAILY SPENDING:
Monday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL
Thought for the day!
What did I buy today that I didn't need?

Tuesday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL

Thought for the day!

Did I shop around?
Could I have found better prices somewhere
else?

Wednesday, keep going!

 Wednesday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL

Thought for the day!

Did I use cash or plastic to pay for things
today?
If I had used cash, would I have spent as
much?

Thursday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL

Thought of the day!

Did I spend anything on travel today?
Could I have walked?
 Friday, nearly a week done!
Friday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL

Thought of the day!

Did I put aside any money this week
for savings?

Saturday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL
Thought of the day!
Are there any activities I can do
at the weekend that are free?
 Sunday - Phew!
Sunday Date:
Wan Nee AMOUNT
ITEM
t d £

TOTAL
Thought of the day!
After looking at my spending this week, did I
spend more than I thought?
Was everything I bought this week essential?
Where can I cut back? Could I save more?

Keep going for another week, it will be worth the effort