Software/App to Manage Budget and Forecast

RenVilo on 04/01/2025 - 20:52
Last edited 04/01/2025 - 22:00 by 1 other user

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. For years I've been using Google Sheets to manage my budget. New year, new mindset, new methods :)

I'm looking for something to manage my budget. I don't just want to list my income and expenses. I want to state I have a credit card with an interest rate of X and if I pay $xx per month it will be 10 months and it's paid off. Then for my car loan, I want to capture what I owe now and how many months are left and I can see this month to month without having to copy/paste data over the tabs. Not sure if this is available so just finding out a bit.

Financial

Comments

  • KaTst3R on 04/01/2025 - 21:09
    +1

    I can see this month to month without having to copy/paste data over the tabs.

    You dont need to create a new tab for each month. Just run your data in columns from left to right, monthly. Have a few lines for credit card calculation, a few lines for car loan amortisation, income, other expenses, link everything up into a final cashflow line.

    • RenVilo on 04/01/2025 - 21:40

      I do it because I have a few columns like the day it has to be paid, from which account it is paid from, who the provider is, outstanding amounts. If Its paid, i remove the amount and update my income line. This way i know what money i need where. I have moved half of my debit orders to a single useless anz account that I just leave there and don't care but I still like to track it and make sure payments did go as it should. But I do like your idea. Maybe add another column with the normal monthly amount and use that.. I think you gave me a nice idea, but of work to update the sheet but might work well if its in my head correctly

  • MaKa on 04/01/2025 - 21:34
    +1

    I use this and find it very handy

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/859578

    You realistically need a couple of months to get a trend

    • RenVilo on 04/01/2025 - 21:40
      +1

      Tx will look into this as well

  • Bruceflix on 04/01/2025 - 21:49
    +1

    I use firefly iii to manage my (lack of) finances.

  • bazingaa on 04/01/2025 - 22:36

    if you use CBA for your finances, there are some built-in budgeting and prediction tools in CBA app. I haven't used them though, just staring at negative total value every day.

  • joka on 05/01/2025 - 08:05
    +1

    Here’s a tip, stop living on credit.

    • Dollar General on 05/01/2025 - 10:41

      But someone needs to keep the kids of bankers in private school. It ain’t cheap

    • RenVilo on 05/01/2025 - 11:21

      Well wouldn't that be ideal. Don't you think this useless comment is what everyone would like to do? Comments like this is why people don't even bother asking other people for help these days. Everyone has their own life, their set of problems, things they need etc. For myself, I used all my savings to move to Aus years ago. I had to support my mom back home, I am a single dad of 2 kids who I would rather prefer to give them more opportunities and let them know quality of live vs struggle every day just because of fake Mr. SAM printed notes.

      That said, I am cashflow positive with about 100k in my crypto but I would prefer to keep that there and rather try and settle my debt. The reason for the initial question is to have a clearer picture of things for what if scenarios so I can see if I push more money into certain things what is the benefits etc. But really a useless comments that you made.

  • netjock on 05/01/2025 - 10:03

    Still use google sheets

    Loan amortisation calculation is actually quite easy to program in.

  • RenVilo on 06/01/2025 - 20:51

    Took some time today and created a new budget template. Now consist of a main sheet to track income/expenses and give a high level of what is outstanding. Creation of a new expense account is with a script and some prompt then auto generates a breakdown tab. When paud you simply tick a box and update the sheet. Initial testing works well but will see how it goes over month end and share it if it all works if anyone wants to try it.

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