What do normal people do? ~finance question~

[MrJim]

I love my debit card-no checks, no credit card hassles, it's just too simple. Except the whole receipt thing. I save up the receipts in my wallet and two or three times a month I record them into my checkbook so that when the monthly statement comes I can do the balance thing(which is always ballpark anyhow since I round off all my entries and I carry about $200 above the balance).

My question has to do with the receipts. I'm like saving every one of them on a spindle. It used to not be a big deal, but as I use the debit more I'm filling the stupid spindle up more. I'd put them in the filing cabinet but most are tiny things that'll just get lost. I've though about scanning software so I can copy and toss. How are you folks doing things?

<<OK I know it's a stretch askin' y'all since the thread title is asking "normal" people but we'll over look that >>

 

[desmalia]

Interesting thread...
Ya, I'm prolly not in the "normal" crowd, so my answer wouldn't count.
I'm curious to see what others do, though.

We keep our receipts in a box. Takes care of the problem with little receipts getting lost. But it's not really efficient when we need to find something.

 

[Uncle Tommy]

Business sized envelopes with the dates on the outside kept in a check register.

For example all of the receipts for a two week period go into an envelope with those dates and then the envelope is put in a small check file under that month. Works real well for us.

 

[Cris413]

Interesting thread...
Ya, I'm prolly not in the "normal" crowd, so my answer wouldn't count.
I'm curious to see what others do, though.

We keep our receipts in a box. Takes care of the problem with little receipts getting lost. But it's not really efficient when we need to find something.

Same thing here...same problem....

Business sized envelopes with the dates on the outside kept in a check register.

For example all of the receipts for a two week period go into an envelope with those dates and then the envelope is put in a small check file under that month. Works real well for us.

I like this idea!

I imagine this will make them easier to shred too! I usually keep my receipts in a box for a year...then shred them...all those little bits of paper...

Major receipts I generally file with whatever manual came with the item...I just staple the receipt to the manual and file the manual.

I have been thinking about putting them in an envelope according to what they are for...groceries, clothing and such.

My medical receipts are always filed separately and anything for tax purposes go into a tax file for that year. So everything is already there when it's tax time.

 

[Cris413]

I love my debit card-no checks, no credit card hassles, it's just too simple. Except the whole receipt thing. I save up the receipts in my wallet and two or three times a month I record them into my checkbook so that when the monthly statement comes I can do the balance thing(which is always ballpark anyhow since I round off all my entries and I carry about $200 above the balance).

My question has to do with the receipts. I'm like saving every one of them on a spindle. It used to not be a big deal, but as I use the debit more I'm filling the stupid spindle up more. I'd put them in the filing cabinet but most are tiny things that'll just get lost. I've though about scanning software so I can copy and toss. How are you folks doing things?

<<OK I know it's a stretch askin' y'all since the thread title is asking "normal" people but we'll over look that >>

I use Quicken MrJim...so all our check card purchases are downloaded to Quicken regularly...so I don't have to add them in manually. I love it. Helps me keep track of our spending too...

Yes...I've finally given in to the computer age!....

 

[MrJim]

Business sized envelopes with the dates on the outside kept in a check register.

For example all of the receipts for a two week period go into an envelope with those dates and then the envelope is put in a small check file under that month. Works real well for us.

Hey Uncle Tommy (we used to have an Uncle Bud around) haven't seen you around before. That's sounds way better than what I'm doing now, easily have room for an envelope in the file cabinet~~how long do you keep them?

 

[MrJim]

I use Quicken MrJim...so all our check card purchases are downloaded to Quicken regularly...so I don't have to add them in manually. I love it. Helps me keep track of our spending too...

Yes...I've finally given in to the computer age!....

When you say the check card purchases are downloaded to Quicken, just what does that mean? Program is tied into the bank?

 

[Cris413]

When you say the check card purchases are downloaded to Quicken, just what does that mean? Program is tied into the bank?

Yes...but I do my downloads manually from the bank website. I know a lot of folks don't think it's safe...but I've been using it since 04 and haven't had any problems.

I mean...IMO...you can't fight the machine...might as well take advantage of it. What I love about it most...I can reconcile my checkbook in about 10 seconds...and never is there an error. That alone is worth it.

 

[MrJim]

Yes...but I do my downloads manually from the bank website. I know a lot of folks don't think it's safe...but I've been using it since 04 and haven't had any problems.

I mean...IMO...you can't fight the machine...might as well take advantage of it. What I love about it most...I can reconcile my checkbook in about 10 seconds...and never is there an error. That alone is worth it.

I've never known anyone that uses it though it sounds popular, have to look into it.

 

[Cris413]

I've never known anyone that uses it though it sounds popular, have to look into it.

I really like it. We just updated to Quicken 2009 last night. And I don't think downloading my transactions is any more risky than anything else we download...

And I'm always keeping an eye on my accounts online.

We also subcribe to a Credit Monitoring Service that alerts us anytime there is activity and THAT has really come in handy.

I did have something I paid years ago added as a bad debt and I was notified and able to take care of it right away.

 

[MrJim]

I really like it. We just updated to Quicken 2009 last night. And I don't think downloading my transactions is any more risky than anything else we download...

And I'm always keeping an eye on my accounts online.

We also subcribe to a Credit Monitoring Service that alerts us anytime there is activity and THAT has really come in handy.

I did have something I paid years ago added as a bad debt and I was notified and able to take care of it right away.

I'm remembering now that I got some kind of free Quicken thing for using TurboTax (back in Feb I guess) and sorta panicked on it when I saw it connected to the bank and ditched it~I'm such a noob...I just checked, I still have the TT email with the Quicken stuff on it

 

[Cris413]

I'm remembering now that I got some kind of free Quicken thing for using TurboTax (back in Feb I guess) and sorta panicked on it when I saw it connected to the bank and ditched it~I'm such a noob...I just checked, I still have the TT email with the Quicken stuff on it

We bought the software back in 04...I think it was like $75...the only thing I don't like about it is....we have to update it like every 3 years or so...

I was "forced" to update it in 07...or it wouldn't function properly and they usually give a redused price for updates. Then they changed the format and I had to figure it out and get use to it again...

I passed on the update last year...and went for it this year...and that's one of the things on my to-do list today...check out all the new features on the new Quicken.

This year it apparently highlights our spending that could be tax deductible...seems like a good idea

It has lots of features...many that I don't use though. I do use the budget calculator and the itemized spending reports...it's great to see where we're spending and where we can make cutbacks.

I had no idea how just how expensive my dogs were until I started tracking what we spend on them.......ahhh...but they're worth every penny...

The real eye-opener was how much we used to spend on take-out and dining....Oh my....doesn't take long for that to add up. $10 here or there doesn't seem like much...until you see what it adds up to in a month or a year....yikes!

I also like the transaction and bills due alerts.


Oh....btw....you don't have to download...you can enter everything manually and still get the same benefit of the features...it's just like doing it on your puter....rather than a paper check register....and the info you plug in can still do the calculations and such

 

[MrJim]

Quicken + NeatReceipts could just be the ticket...

 

[Cris413]

Quicken + NeatReceipts could just be the ticket...

that looks cool...what I wouldn't give to get out from under all this paper...

I have somthing similar that I used to use all the time...an electronic filing system....but it took a lot of time to scan everything....and I'm not ready to completely get rid of all my paper....but I don't save my paper for nearly as long with everything noted in Quicken.

The system I had was quite new at the time...prolly the forerunner to Neat Receipts....if all I had to do was scan and the system filed it automatically that would be GREAT...

The system I used...I had to create the files...then once scanned...I had to move them to the respective cabinets, drawers and file folders...so it took a bit of time.

Thanks for the link...I'll show it to hubby and see what he thinks!

 

[MrJim]

that looks cool...what I wouldn't give to get out from under all this paper...

I have somthing similar that I used to use all the time...an electronic filing system....but it took a lot of time to scan everything....and I'm not ready to completely get rid of all my paper....but I don't save my paper for nearly as long with everything noted in Quicken.

The system I had was quite new at the time...prolly the forerunner to Neat Receipts....if all I had to do was scan and the system filed it automatically that would be GREAT...

The system I used...I had to create the files...then once scanned...I had to move them to the respective cabinets, drawers and file folders...so it took a bit of time.

Thanks for the link...I'll show it to hubby and see what he thinks!

I first saw it advertised in MacWorld~seemed interesting, I saw they also had software to use if you have your own scanner; I'd like to get as scanner sometime..I'll probably go the envelope system Uncle Tommy mentioned though..

 

[AnneSally]

I love my debit card-no checks, no credit card hassles, it's just too simple. Except the whole receipt thing. I save up the receipts in my wallet and two or three times a month I record them into my checkbook so that when the monthly statement comes I can do the balance thing(which is always ballpark anyhow since I round off all my entries and I carry about $200 above the balance).

My question has to do with the receipts. I'm like saving every one of them on a spindle. It used to not be a big deal, but as I use the debit more I'm filling the stupid spindle up more. I'd put them in the filing cabinet but most are tiny things that'll just get lost. I've though about scanning software so I can copy and toss. How are you folks doing things?

Um, I'm ashamed to say that I stuff them all into my purse and when that gets too stuffed and I can't shut it I take them all and throw them somewhere, sometimes in the bin.

 

[Cris413]

Um, I'm ashamed to say that I stuff them all into my purse and when that gets too stuffed and I can't shut it I take them all and throw them somewhere, sometimes in the bin.

Oh you should shred them sister. They don't print as much info on them as they use to...but still a good idea.

I shred EVERYTHING that has any identifying info on it. I've gone through like 3 shredders in the past few years.

It's like a full time job...sorting through the mail and shredding it. I love my new shredder though...it can handle up to 20 pages at a time...so now I don't have to open what I know is junk mail.....zzzzzzzzzttttttt.....and done!

 

[AnneSally]

Oh you should shred them sister. They don't print as much info on them as they use to...but still a good idea.

I shred EVERYTHING that has any identifying info on it. I've gone through like 3 shredders in the past few years.

It's like a full time job...sorting through the mail and shredding it. I love my new shredder though...it can handle up to 20 pages at a time...so now I don't have to open what I know is junk mail.....zzzzzzzzzttttttt.....and done!

Yes, that is probably a very sensible and wise thing to do, cheers for the heads up sis!

Now I need a dishwasher and a shredder, LOL.

 

[Cris413]

Yes, that is probably a very sensible and wise thing to do, cheers for the heads up sis!

Now I need a dishwasher and a shredder, LOL.

Perhaps you can get them both to MATCH!


Yeah...hubby and I are pretty big on minimizing identity theft...not sure who would want to be me LOL....I'm no Sandra Bullock....but ya neva know...

 

[CruciFixed]

I use quicken. Punch the numbers in manually and shred the receipts. I'm talking about atm/debt card payments. I use the debit as credit but it comes out like either automatically or the next day.

I really don't know what else to do with receipts. I'm not alll....organized.

I don't have a credit card actually so I don't know.