| I collected data and figured out my family's average costs per week absent fixed expenses. I have a spreadsheet that has a row for each week. I have it set up so that whenever my wife or I get paid, it adds that to the balance. Whenever a fixed expense is due, it subtracts it. It also subtracts the average costs per week for each week, and accounts for yearly projected bonuses etc. The spreadsheet also shows any loans/loan payments. Every few weeks I pay off my credit cards, go and look at my bank account balances, and compare that to the expected values in the spreadsheet. If they don't match, I figure out why and note that on the spreadsheet (i.e., unexpected surgery on dog, unexpected car repair, etc.). The spreadsheet has conditional formatting that shows green if my bank balances are above my reserve amount for each week (including in the future), yellow if close, and red if under. I can see what my bank balances should be out through 3037 or so, when all my kids should be in college. With that kind of a spreadsheet, you can instantly see when any loans you have will be paid off, and whether you can afford any purchase you're thinking of. |