Track Your Spending Like a Pro: The Key to Financial Awareness
Do you ever wonder where your money goes by the end of the month? Tracking your spending is one of the simplest — yet most powerful — ways to take control of your finances. If budgeting is the “plan,” then tracking is the “action.” Without tracking, budgets fail. 📊 Why Tracking Expenses Matters Tracking helps you: Stay within budget Spot overspending habits Understand your financial behavior Make better decisions It’s the backbone of any good financial system, especially if you're using the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule or other methods covered in Budgeting 101 for Beginners . 🛠️ How to Start Tracking Your Spending 1. Choose a Method Notebook or journal – Best for minimalists Spreadsheet – Excel or Google Sheets templates Apps – Mint, YNAB, PocketGuard (or local alternatives) Bank SMS or statements – Manually log entries from your bank 2. Categorize Expenses Group them as: Needs Wants Savings/Debt Payments This aligns perfectly with your 50/3...