This post is mainly for Ceejay. Of course, if you feel inclined, please read on.
We all probably have a spreadsheet showing our debts and the like. Well, I’m no different. I have one sheet showing all my debts, the current amount I owe, and how much I have paid on a monthly basis.
I don’t just use this sheet to record my payments to the debt, but I also use the sheet kind of as a scenario analysis tool. For instance, in March, I was coming up with different ways of using my tax refund and how that would change pay off dates. I also look at it to see if I am keeping around the same pace.
I usually play with this sheet every couple of days so I am very aware of how slight changes effect my overall goals. A little nerdy? A little anal? Maybe.
The next ones are the executive reports for the boss. As we all know, bosses don’t have time for the details. They just want to now the bottomline and how we are progressing month to month. These big picture thinkers don’t want to know how I swept the residual from an envelope on the 8th to add $28 to a car payment.
So the first report shows where we are now (it ties into my other sheet). And the following two show the monthly progression.
I have organized the reports to show Dave Ramsey’s baby steps. It just gives a nice way to categorize the different goals.
So those are my sheets. (Notice how the executive ones are pretty, bosses like that.)
Ceejay - Debt Sheets
April 24th, 2008 at 02:44 pm
April 24th, 2008 at 03:58 pm 1209049107
April 24th, 2008 at 07:15 pm 1209060911
Thanks for sharing!
April 24th, 2008 at 10:14 pm 1209071641
April 25th, 2008 at 12:52 am 1209081175
That's where I am. How do people charting their progress on a spreadsheet stagger their goals? I see some overlap.
April 25th, 2008 at 03:37 am 1209091026
April 25th, 2008 at 02:55 pm 1209131722
April 25th, 2008 at 03:53 pm 1209135204
I would guess that you start with some desirable goal dates and amounts, work backward, see if it's doable, adjust your expectations, try again. I think I'd want to pursue all those goals at once, so if my financial circumstances change or worsen, at least I'll have something saved for each. But I'll cross that bridge later.
April 25th, 2008 at 05:18 pm 1209140290
When I started, I use to track to another sheet I called projections vs. actual. Since I play out scenarios on the data sheet about 3-4 times a week, I don't use that anymore.
But as you can see, I am tracking times to multiple debt pay offs and 401(k) savings. If you prioritize your goals, it helps too.
April 29th, 2008 at 03:35 am 1209436508