Where did you come from and where are you going? (Free budgeting toy inside!) – Guest Post

You have a fairly good idea where you want to be, but do you know where you are going?

You have an even better idea of where you came from, but do you know where you are?

Confused? Keep reading…

Where you are going and where you want to be could be two totally different places. What happens when were you want to be and where you end up are two different places? How you got where you are know has everything to do with where you will likely end up someday. In ten years from now, you will arrive, the question is, “Where?” Where will you arrive?

Your financial landscape doesn’t come with an easy to use map and directions. It can be difficult to see what direction you need to go and what direction you are actually heading. The direction you are actually heading is a good place to start, if you want to know (and choose) where you will eventually end up.

Make sure your financial direction is taking you where you want to be.

Use this free budgeting toy (Google Doc) to help determine if you are heading in the direction you want to go. Grab your copy of the Google Doc monthly budget spreadsheet and follow the simple steps below. I bet you the world that you will be surprised by how easy using this budget spreadsheet is. I will bet you all the stars in the galaxy that you will be amazed by how much useful information you will uncover about your own financial situation. The answers to the questions at the top of this blog post are found in this magical Google Doc. Enjoy.

1. Click the link for the Google Doc
2. Hit ‘file’ and then ‘Save a Copy’ to make the Google Doc yours. (It will appear in your Google Drive)
3. Print off last month’s bank statement.
4. Put each expense into a budgeting category and calculate a total for each category.
5. Put those totals in the Actual column in the spreadsheet.
6. Ask yourself if the way you are spending your money will get you where you want to be.

Chances are you will have to make a few adjustments in your financial direction to get where you want to go. We all get a little off course every now and then. Seeing exactly how you have been spending your money is the answer to the question, “how did I get here?” How you spend your money between now and next year will determine – not if or when – but where you will arrive. If a course adjustment is needed, stay tuned for the second of this four-part blog post series.

-Derek C. Olsen www.HisPlusHersEqualsOurs.com This four-part financial blog post series is based on the book The Four Week Financial Turnaround.