Free Budget Tracking Program?

I love excel. If you have even some basic knowledge of how to use worksheets, you should be able to set up something that works for you.

Do you use the online bill pay that is offered free with most checking accounts? Most of these programs have features built in that will help you keep track of the payments you've made and what's coming due.

I pay all of my bills online through my bank. I have three bank accounts and all three have the capability setting them up and you can set it to where it will send you reminders. Also my bank will keep a history of like 4 months showing how much you paid to a particular company. Mine is for free through my bank but its a local bank so can't recommend them to you since you live in California. However many banks are set up this way and I have done it this way for many many years without a problem. Another site you may want to consider for tracking where your money goes is mint.com. It is for free and I also have that set up. However I'm not quite sure if they have it to where you can set up reminders or not sincemy bank already does that I would imagine I didn't set that part up. Dailyworth.com is a great site and actually is where I found out about mint.com there are many many similiar sites that are for free that they recommend as well but mint.com I think was at the top of their list.

Check your online banking. I use Wells Fargo and they track my spending several ways. They let me set all my payments to go out automatically. I dont know of an "ok to skip" feature though.

W. - Use Quicken...it tells you when bills are due - how much you have, what you've spent, etc. You should be able to download from your bank if you do on-line banking...I know many banks usually offer it for "free" - I realize it isn't with all the fees they charge - but doesn't hurt to check and ask..

I understand the tight budget thing..was there when we had credit card debt....i can tell you there is a light at the end of the tunnel...

if you can't do that - get the Mom' Plan-It calendar and paperclip or use the rubber band to hold the bills that are due in that week there so you won't lose them or put them someplace else!!

GOOD LUCK!

I recommend Quicken. There are free versions available. Not only can you track your bills and get reminders of when they are due, once set up you'll see your total debt and assets at a glance. Another plus is that if you enter all your household expenses and income, tax prep becomes a breeze. I use it to track my business income & expenses (I own two) and all my personal stuff and love it! I know it comes free when you purchase Turbo Tax, but I'm sure there must be other ways to get it without paying...try the Intuit website or google Quicken.

I use Mint.com and LOVE IT. I would pay for it I love it so much, but it's actually free. You do have to set up online banking and get as many of your accounts online as you can (I have all checking/savings accounts, credit cards, my mortgage, 401(k). It tracks your interest rates and due dates on things like your credit cards. For utilities and other bills for which you may not have an on-line account, you can enter those in the budget section.

You may not even need something at that level yet. Even the most basic on-line banking from your bank should include free bill pay. You set up your payees, how much you want to pay (can set to the same amount each month or change every time), and when you want the bill paid. You can log in and see how much money you have, what you're projected to pay out in the next few weeks and can then move a bill pay date or reduce a payment if you need to.