What financial planner should you use?
Well this is all about preference, really. However, I couldn’t find an *affordable* and also *useful* financial planner. So I did what I always do to solve my problems, took matter into my own hands, and made one myself! I really wanted my financial planner to look nice, or else I’d never use it. Therefore, I created The Savvy Crow. A financial planner that is cute, AND useful! With all of the equations already programmed in for you. You don’t have to worry about figuring it out yourself.
Plus, I always feel like financial planner spreadsheets are created by people who actually have their finances together for people who have their finances figured out and just need to stay organized. However, I have anxiety and don’t have things together in the least bit. I’m quite the spazz, so this planner is GREAT for people who need a little jump start on basic financial organization.
How do spreadsheets help with financial planning?
Honestly, if you want to make a change, then spreadsheets are always there for you! Spreadsheets are extremely customizable which I love. And I hate HATE entering my bank info into an app, so I like being able to enter it myself. Also, by entering it in myself, it forces me to face my bank account instead of pretending like everything is fine lol.
What are some recommended financial planning tools?
The Savvy Crow Financial Planner
The Savvy Crow Super Cool Totally Awesome Financial Planning Spreadsheet! Of course I’m going to recommend mine! Read the next question to read ALL about my lovely colorful and super helpful financial planning spreadsheet. Other than mine? I’m glad you asked!
Budget Planning Apps
Use a budget planning app! Honestly, this one is not my favorite choice, but some people absolutely love it! I just get a little uncomfortable sharing banking information lol. However, I have three different apps that I’ve personally used or know people that swear by them.
Mint
Mint.com, this one is free and excellent for budgeting in real time. It pulls in your information and categorizes spending. It also will negotiate bills for you. I’ve used this one in the past, but I just don’t like sharing my info!
You Need a Budget
You Need A Budget is one that I have not personally used, because it costs money monthly lol. But I know people that absolutely love it! It’s not quite as passive as Mint, and requires a bit more attention. However, if you want easy and user friendly, this would be for you!
Personal Capital
Lastly, Personal Capital is free and super robust. I love free things! This one is a GREAT tool if you want to take charge of all finances in one spot. Oh, and did I mention, it’s FREE! That’s the best part lol.
Personalized Budgeting Spreadsheets
These are things off of things like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel. My spreadsheet would fall into this category.
Microsoft Excel Budget Spreadsheets
Usually, these are a bit less design forward, some may be less expensive or free. And I find them really boring visually, but there are SO many things that these sheets are capable of. They’re usually much more customizable and have lots of functionality. Microsoft is usually something that needs to be paid for, but their applications are all VERY useful!
Google Sheets Budget Spreadsheets
Very similar to Microsoft Excel, this is my preferred method of making spreadsheets (FREE!). And many of the same functionalities as Microsoft. Their templates are sometimes free, but there are some paid options as well.
Etsy Spreadsheets and Pages
Lastly, but definitely not least, I’m going to recommend tracking down some beautifully designed financial planners off of Etsy! Many of these are printable or spreadsheets. Some are books or binders, there’s SO many options to choose from – But here are some cute recommendations from me!
Why should you use my financial spreadsheet?
- It’s affordable. I don’t know about you, but when I’m looking for a financial planner to help plan my finances, I sure as HECK don’t want to pay $50-$100 for a spreadsheet that’s supposed to be helping me NOT overspend. Psht. So I made my super colorful, super cute financial planner with amazing functionality. And the best part? Only $20.
- It’s not boring and depressing, so I actually use it. Why should finances be scary and boring? We should never be afraid of being financially savvy and learning to take charge of our finances. That’s why I wanted to make it colorful and fun. Hopefully, it uplifts spirits at least a little bit while looking at the finances.
- I added features that my anxious mind was requiring. For example, I added categories and a place to keep track of MISC extra money! Maybe you got a birthday gift of $100 dollars. Or use Ibotta and finally redeemed that balance you worked so hard for. Or redeeming credit card rewards, all of that can go in the MISC category. Another feature my brain was like “yes please” was my gifts and plans feature. I’m always trying to plan ahead, and this feature helps me create a yearly fund for all things gift or plan related! Have a vacation planned for July, start saving in January! Then you know how much you will be working with. Or christmas and birthday funds! I find this super helpful when trying to plan out expenses for gifts and vacations.
- If you aren’t comfortable and just need a simple budget planner to start, I have a totally free option if you sign up for my email list! This budget planner let’s you put in your monthly income, and you can figure out monthly bills and how much is left for monthly spending! I use both together to make sure I’m on track with how I was hoping to allocate my funds! Everyone is different in their own way and requires different things to make things work.
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