Accounting Program

If you are a computer nut, you may want to use a computer to keep track on all the expenditures. There are numerous programs that will do just that as well as prepare reports and even write checks.

Me, I prefer to have a notebook with all the details at my finger tips.

Just be sure to keep all receipts, and be sure to verify that you are not exceeding any of the budget amounts. This can be done with a declining balance sheet for each expense line, which is what I prefer. Or use manila envelopes, or use a computer program. But do something to stick to your budgeted amounts.

You may want to entrust this financial record keeping aspect to a person who is more mathie than you may be. No matter who does this work of keeping track of expenditures and paying bills, it has to be done regularly.

The practice of entering all the money you have in an ATM card then spending till it is gone is for an amateur. You need to have your finger on the pulse of your expenditures on a daily basis to avoid surprises. There will be enough surprises in the normal course of any flip to keep you busy. So try to reduce the number of surprises by planning in advance anything that is planable.