Setting up budget that tracks expendituresrelative to budgeted amount

[newbee]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)
Processor: Power PC

I just retired and need to learn to do what others did for me in my "former life". I need to get pointed in the right direction.

I want to create a worksheet that gives me a monthly as well as cummulative summary of actual personal/household expenditures compared with my budget for each category. I also want to be able to encumber money for known expenses coming down the pike.

I currently use Quicken to track expenses by categories but have found their "budget" function very cumbersome and lacking flexibility.

I am assuming that the worksheet would have to have formula's relating the columns etc but am hoping to find a template so I don't have to start from scratch. The personal budgets I downloaded only provide a list of expenses. Am I missing something?

Is there a "how to" guide for beginners? I only see answers to very specific questions. HELP!!! And thanks. A "newbee"

 

[CyberTaz]

Have a look at File> Project Gallery> Ledger Sheets - Budget or click the
Sheets button below the toolbars in workbook window, then click Budgets...
or maybe the Budget Report if you click the Reports button.

If you don't find what you're looking for try here:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/templates.mspx?tcid=&appid=3

Most of them should work in 2008 with no problem and many available for Win
Excel can be used on a Mac, although there is a bit more to know if you need
to look that far. Post back if necessary.

Further, you can modify the templates to have them more well tailored to
your requirements.