Routine

Following up on the last article where we created a tracker spreadsheet, at the end of the process you should have something like this:

Remember, this is just a template, of course certain parameters are not valid, like the first day of the month is probably not a Monday, the actual month may have less than 31 days, some expense categories don't make sense etc.

That's fine. Since this is just a template, make copy (aka "duplicate") of the sheet and adjust to your needs and to the actual month. Create one copy and adjust for each coming month.

"OK, I'm doing that. So then what?"

Then, you have to establish a daily routine when you fill in all the spending (and income) details for the actual day and also capture the "Read balance at the end of the day" value in row 34.

This way you can establish a "historical" record keeping habit.

"OK, but really, do I have to do it every single day?"

Well, yes. Initially, definitely.

Later on this can be a "weekly financial review" - at least this is how I call it.

The stepping stone to success is a daily routine.

I, for example spend no more than a few minutes on this sheet each morning and/or each evening. This way I

• always know where I stand financially - at any given moment
• can spot trends of spendings
• can see what I can afford and what I cannot afford during the month
• can see any unexpected expenses and replan the future

By making another copy - and this is where the real magic lies - I can play with "what-if" scenarios:

"Let's imagine I'm planning a new vacation, or planning to make a big purchase" - I can play with the arbitrary numbers and details and see how it would play out short term and long term.

The key thing here is to establish a daily routine and keep the numbers up-to-date.

This way something previously unimaginable happens:

• regardless of your current circumstances, you start seeing that actually you CAN BE in control, you ARE in control.

And THAT has serious positive effects on multiple facets of your life.