Page 42 - Workbook1E

Here’s an example of a completed page from Dave’s Spending Register:
AUTO
BUSINESS EXPENSE
Spending Plan Amount:
329
Spending Plan Amount:
50
Prior Month Carryover:
10
Prior Month Carryover:
0
How Paid?
Date
Description
New
Balance: 339
How Paid?
Date
Description
New
Balance: 50
#1200
7/4/04
To: West Bank
Amount:
289
debit
7/1/04
To: Supply Mart
Amount:
23
For: Car Payment
Balance:
50
For: paper, ink
Balance:
27
visa
7/10/04
To: Gas & Go
Amount:
22
cash
7/15/04
To: Top Computers
Amount: 23.50
For: Gas
Balance:
28
For: Software
Balance: 4.50
#1204
7/21/04
To: Auto Store
Amount:
6
To:
Amount:
For: Oil
Balance:
22
For:
Balance:
cash
7/21/04
To: Gas & Go
Amount:
19
To:
Amount:
For: Gas
Balance:
3
For:
Balance:
Your Own Personal Bank
Each Expense Category in your Register is like a small “bank account.” Every month both Husband and Wife “deposit” or record their planned amounts from their Spending Plan Worksheet Step 7, in their personal Registers (Register Step 3.) As you spend money, you withdraw or subtract money from your account (Register Step 6.)
IMPORTANT: It’s essential to keep a running balance in every expense category. Then you’ll always know what’s left in each account, and you can stay within your plan. For example: If the month’s half over and you’ve spent most of your Food Expense money, you’ll need to cut back or you’ll go over your plan. If necessary you can use some money in your Help Fund for that month—but only as a last resort.
By Your Side
Always carry your Spending Register with you. Both spouses need to carry their own Register, with their own separate expense plan (Using Step 7 on the Spending Plan Worksheet.) Then you’re each responsible for only your purchases and your plan.
“There’s no question that writing down what I spend, has been revolutionary for me. I used to look into my wallet and think I had been pick-pocketed. You know... ‘Wait a minute—I went
to the bank yesterday, took out $60, and now I’ve got only $12 and don’t remember buying a thing...’”
~ Victoria Moran
38 Workbook 1: Building a Spending Plan that Works