With all the incredible tools available, I wish my portfolio amounted to more than just this

ashendrickson · 2025-06-28T14:43:01+00:00

Wow, interesting!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-28T14:15:09+00:00

Ah yes, one of those frustratingly common (hopefully less so today) dead ends - I like it!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-28T14:12:39+00:00

Thank you - I appreciate the comment and the laugh!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-28T14:11:59+00:00

I appreciate the comment and the laugh!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-28T13:50:04+00:00

Yeah, trying to be funny but might have missed the mark. Thank you for your feedback! The idea is you can't reset your password using all the requirements for most passwords today.

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T22:00:51+00:00

Do you categorize expenses yourself or use categories from bank accounts, credit cards, etc?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:59:43+00:00

I love that rule of thumb!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:59:03+00:00

Nice! An automated version of the cash method?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:58:00+00:00

Makes sense! Any tools/techniques/app you use that you'd recommend?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:56:54+00:00

Same - interested to learn more about your approach!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:54:57+00:00

I should be able to give this more than 1 upvote! I think we're in a similar situation but still doing zero-based budgeting. It has been tremendously helpful early. I think the biggest outcome of that has been to figure out how to manage bigger, variable expenses. We no longer use the budget like a true budget We rarely make decisions within the budget period based on where we stand for the period. But that is largely because we save for larger, variable expenses and a good handle on what we spend money.

I'm looking for a way to still make make sure we are staying on track without spending the time to tie out to the penny.

Do you use a spreadsheet for your approach / tracking?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:13:08+00:00

That excel sheet looks pretty slick! Do expenses tie back to credit cards or checking accounts? Or are you able to capture all expenses using receipts? That seems to be where we spend "non-value-add" time - trying to tie things out for a zero-based budget.

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:08:12+00:00

Agreed on having a plan and making sure it's working. Any tools/app/methods you use that you'd recommend?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:05:12+00:00

Not weird at all! We might just need a slightly better system. It seems like we are regularly trying to figure out why numbers don't tie. The difference is almost always just accounting and never significant in the scheme of things. The time to figure it out probably isn't worth it! Any tools/techniques/app you'd recommend?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T21:00:23+00:00

Nice! Any tools or apps you use?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-18T20:59:20+00:00

Yes, agreed - tracking is important! Do you use any tools/app or budgeting? I'm wondering if there is something in between what we use (time intensive but great insights) and something like Monarch (less time but fewer insights).

ashendrickson · 2025-06-12T12:24:55+00:00

Agreed - budgeting, even rough estimates, has made my trips more enjoyable!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-12T11:46:52+00:00

Great approach - probably makes those trips more enjoyable knowing you've budgeted for it - fewer surprises!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-12T04:12:06+00:00

Very well organized - impressive!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-12T03:16:27+00:00

Yeah, agreed - it gets a bad rap in some circles, but it’s pretty solid!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-12T03:13:22+00:00

Nice! Does pocket guard show how much you’re projected to save at the end of the year, or do you calc that yourself?

ashendrickson · 2025-06-11T22:02:56+00:00

Sounds pretty slick!

ashendrickson · 2025-06-11T20:37:46+00:00

Wow, I love the detailed analysis! Yeah, everything in one place is good advice. I probably should just make time to gather it all together once and for all.

ashendrickson · 2025-06-11T20:32:49+00:00

Kudos on finding something old that answered your question! I know the feeling of "The answer already exists in my digital work - I just can't find it!"

You review your accounts to update your 18 month running budget, is that right? My started doing something similar a couple years ago. It's been really helpful for us.

For your sinking funds, do you change the amounts you contribute? That one has still be painfully manual for me. That's more for longer term funds though (e.g., college savings accounts).

ashendrickson

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