Comments on: The Elite Edge Money “Financial Snapshot” Spreadsheet

By: J. Money

J. Money — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 00:05:29 +0000

In reply to Crystal.

Hey Crystal :) Yeah, I still use it all these years later but I don’t update it anymore online because I ran out of time. You can view it on Google Docs/Drive still with all my details (I just checked and it worked) but you’re right in that you can’t download the one posted *here* because it’s just for show.

Use this one if you want to use the budget template from Google docs (make sure you’re logged into gmail when you do it):
http://docs.google.com/previewtemplate?id=0AphtcNd0RXTEcEpHQkZHV21TVUhNd3ZWcmdNUkZKWnc&mode=public

You have to click the “use this template” button in the upper left corner and it’ll go into your own area :) And then from there you can download if you wish.

Or, you can just download the excel spreadsheet and go from there:
https://eliteedgemoney.com/budgets/j_budget_template.xls

Hope this helps!

By: Crystal

Crystal — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 00:22:04 +0000

Hello! Just wondering if this is the same budget spreadsheet you still use? I have actually tried to download the google doc several times and it always shows me an error message.

By: J. Money

J. Money — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 00:37:00 +0000

HAH! You’re right on that one, good sir. And the people of DC need one too, which I’m quite aware of living here ;) Awesome that you’re a huge fan of them though, hopefully if enough people spread the word there’ll be less stress in the world. You’re def. right in the importance of tracking it even more when you make less too – thanks for stopping by!

By: Joey

Joey — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 08:20:32 +0000

I am a major budget nerd and have been one my whole life! I so glad it is now ‘cool’ to be in control of one’s financial goals and spending plans. I just get a cold chill up my spine when I meet someone who tells me that budgets are too hard to stick to, too hard to plan and the kicker of all excuses is they don’t think they make enough money to bother with a budget. I say the less you have, the more you need a budget, a spending plan or even a rough idea of how much money you do have compared to what it costs to live inside a building WITH utilities, eat every day and somehow get from point a to point b, without having to walk or take a bus.
So, I will sit contentedly by, willing to help anyone who asks for help setting up a budget and keeping them motivated and on track towards some type of goal.
I wish Washington DC would get bit by the budget nerd bug, they need to, FAST. Joey

By: J. Money

J. Money — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 16:10:27 +0000

Awesome! Congrats so much on getting a budget up and running, and taking control like that – it’s an incredible feeling, huh? :)

RE: Investing — it’s hard for me to advise on anything like that since a) I don’t know much myself about it, and b) I don’t know your personalities and/or risk levels, but I do know that a lot of first timers enjoy going with mutual funds or those that track the S&P 500 or other indexes (Or even “target date” funds that adjust depending on the year you guys want to retire). I’d Google a bit to get some ideas, and then maybe check out Vanguard or other highly respected places that give out good info :) You guys will be fine though. I’m a big believer in doing your best whether it’s 80% “the right” choice, or 100%. The point here is you’re working on growing your nest egg, and that’s half the battle. So keep it up!!

By: Happy2budget

Happy2budget — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:29:47 +0000

I am in my early 40’s. My husband and I have just started to track our spending and made our first real budget in January. In the past we didn’t really make a budget, we just wrote down what we spent without a plan and were really ashamed at the end of the year. I want to proudly say that we have been on track and under budget for two months. We have a 401k but I want to invest a small amount for “fun” meaning something that is more emotionally based. I opened an e-trade account with a small amount ($1000) and have kind of froze up with uncertainty. Any advice for an amateur investor? Thanks

By: J. Money

J. Money — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:37:14 +0000

Hey David – congrats on having a nice amount left over every month! And even better than you want to apply it to better your finances :) It’s tough to say which is better for you since we don’t know each other, but I think either way you go you’ll be fine. If you have no emergency fund set up (3-6 months worth of expenses), I’d probably put more into savings than the mortgage, but if you have a nice cushion and/or your mortgage rate is incredibly high (over 5-6%), I’d probably push that side higher instead. All depends on what makes you most comfortable :) But again – either way you’re on the right path!

By: David Sumerlin

David Sumerlin — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:50:45 +0000

Hi J
I’ve left a note on some other page, not sure if it went through. Back to budget:
I will have 350 a month extra that I want to use for extra house principal and savings, {CDs,} What amount would you recommend for each? Thanks for the input!
David

By: J. Money

J. Money — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:15:06 +0000

Oh, weird - never seen that before, I'm sorry. I'll see what I can do. In the meantime, why don't you try downloading the spreadsheet into Excel, and then just uploading that into Google Docs? That's what I originally did to get it up there :) https://eliteedgemoney.com/budgets/j_budget_template.xls

By: Micah

Micah — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:40:07 +0000

The budget won’t load in google docs. Any way of fixing it? :( I want to use it.