Tracking planned expenses

June 14, 2021 3:53 PM

Do you have a tool you use to track planned expenses and wishlist items? I've been using Pinterest and the Notes app on my phone, but I'm hoping to enhance the experience somehow. Thanks!
posted by Juniper Toast to Work & Money (6 answers total)

In my household ToDoist account I have a project for wishlist, which is easy because I can just plug the URL into the field and it populates the name of the item automatically. Then I can just click it as complete when it's complete.
posted by bleep at 4:12 PM on June 14, 2021

Ugh I'm as disgusted with myself for suggesting it every time as you probably are, but IMO there's no better tool for saving up for something than a category with a goal on YNAB, especially now that it tracks money movement so you have some accountability for taking money out of that category.
posted by supercres at 4:16 PM on June 14, 2021 [7 favorites]

Came here to suggest YNAB too. It’s more than what you asked for, but also does exactly what you are asking for (in the context of a full budget) and it really can be life-changing.

Check out their page on wish lists and wish farms (I think that’s what they call it)
posted by sillysally at 4:19 PM on June 14, 2021 [4 favorites]

Also came in to recommend YNAB and their wish farm concept.
posted by anderjen at 4:55 PM on June 14, 2021

Joining the chorus on YNAB, with a twist - YNAB is just one representative in the "zero based" or "envelope style" budget category, and there are other apps/options if you don't want YNAB. I've been using Aspire Budgeting (a free Google sheet). Everything that I plan on buying gets assigned a budget category and I start saving toward that category.
posted by gakiko at 12:35 AM on June 15, 2021

I'm a former YNAB user who switched to Lunch Money; both are pretty great at tracking money saved toward a goal (I only switched because Lunch Money supports multiple currencies).
posted by neushoorn at 6:38 AM on June 21, 2021