Real talk about managing money through spreadsheets. We share what actually works when you're trying to get your finances organized without fancy software.
Most budgets fail because people make them too complicated. I've seen hundreds of spreadsheets over the years, and the ones that stick around are usually the simplest. You don't need fancy formulas for every cell—just track what comes in and what goes out. Start with three columns and build from there.
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Small errors compound over time. Here's what to watch for when you're setting up your financial tracking system.
Building a safety net doesn't require complex calculations. Just consistent tracking and honest numbers.
I spent years working with commercial accounting software before switching back to spreadsheets for my own finances. The control you get is unmatched. When something breaks in expensive software, you're stuck waiting for support. With spreadsheets, you fix it yourself in five minutes. Plus, you actually understand how your money moves.
Most people overthink financial planning. I work with families across Sydney, and the ones who succeed keep it straightforward. They use basic spreadsheets, update them weekly, and don't stress about fancy charts. The spreadsheet that works is the one you'll actually open. Everything else is just decoration.
Guides and templates that cut through the noise. These are based on real situations we've encountered working with Australian households.
A straightforward template for tracking income and expenses. Nothing fancy, just what you need to see where your money actually goes each month.
Download templateStarting from scratch? This walks you through creating a budget that matches how you actually spend money, not some idealized version.
View guideJoin us in October 2025 for a hands-on session covering the essentials. We'll build a working budget together and tackle common problems.
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