What tools do you use to evaluate your current position? Is it your checkbook balance? Cash left in your wallet?

In a prior step, we talked about creating a Net Worth Statement. If you don't do this, how do you take stock of where you are financially now in relationship to where you want to be? How do you know you're on track? What other ways or tools do you use to measure progress?

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I would have to say the balance on the checkbook. As far as keeping track of our finanical sitation I have a chart made out like Mary Hunt's Rapid Debt Reduction. I like to visually see our debt disappear as I make payments.

Checkbook & I have a 'debt balance' spreadsheet that I update every month on the 30th --- when that number goes down, all is well!!!

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"I want my children to have all the things I couldn't afford. Then I want to move in with them." ~ Phyllis Diller

Our debt is the trucks and house. Also, I guess when I think of where I want to be, well, I don't think of that. It may be bad, but I look around me to see what I have and where I'm at, and I'm happy. If something good comes my way, then I jump, and if something bad comes, then we deal - like DH's truck deciding to need a new ball joint in the front. An unexpected expense ($300, since our mechanic friend fixes things at home), but it was dealt with easily because DH had a $2000 side job this past weekend. Over and done.

I have an Excel set that I keep our bank accounts and our bills, with a chart to mark off when the bills are paid for each month. I'm comfortable when everything is paid, nothing late.

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Money as in the the program Microsoft Money. Really it gives me a lot of information with minimal effort.

My Money home tells me:
What is in my accounts
Bills I have coming up
My Cash Flow Forecast
Income vs expenses for the past 30 days (if income is higher all is ok)

The program offers me options to compare months, chart net worth, etc.
I have all my accounts included plus things like assets with the home inventory.

Finance software is very useful, I have a few spreadsheets to. Debt and a budget that is connection with my calendar as well as a general budget sheet.

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Kimberly Proud Mommy to Bethany Rose April 2006 &

Organizer of the Coupon Clippers of Tacoma