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Filename: home-budget-worksheet.xls

Before You Dive In ...

A spreadsheet is great for creating a budget, but tracking spending and managing your budget on a weekly or monthly basis really calls for software designed for that purpose. Here are the tools I recommend that you let download account activity from your bank accounts (and/or link to them) and then assign transactions to specific budget categories:

1. You Need a Budget YouNeedABudget is probably the best budgeting software there is. I've known the owner since he started the company and have seen YouNeedABudget grow from a basic spreadsheet application to a full-featured software tool that rivals, if not beats, Quicken.
2. Compare Quicken Quicken is the tool I have used since college to manage both my personal and business accounts.
3. Try Mint.com Mint.com provides a really awesome free online budgeting tool. If you haven't heard of it yet, it is a must-see. The mint.com answers blog is one that I follow (and comment on) regularly.