Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images
Seeing the amount saved each year is such a boost for me. Though each shopping trip is not going to produce a 90% savings, I know that I am saving each time I use a strategy that prevents me from paying full price.
When I pay or schedule our bills twice a month, I also enter our receipt information into our savings tracker. These spreadsheets show me our immediate savings and calculates our savings for the year.
For 2013, I downloaded the savings tracker twice. I used one for our food purchases and the other for everything else – drugstores, electronics, gifts, entertainment, etc. Watching our savings grow, I loved viewing the final results because my goal is to save at least 50%:
2013 Savings Results
Food
- Spent – $5,962.05
- Saved – $3,188.83
- Savings percentage – 53.49%
Other
- Spent – $4,042.33
- Saved – $4,570.09
- Savings percentage – 88.45%
9. Download a Savings Tracker: Planning for Success – Day 10
In planning for 2014, I have placed our 2014 receipts in a pile. The next item on my to do list is downloading a savings tracker to continue seeing the results of combining sales with coupons to feed and nourish our family while stretching our dollars.
Finding a Savings Tracker
If you are looking for a savings tracker to calculate your savings, then try one of these tools:
- Free Savings Tracker by Angela at The Coupon Project
- Southern Savers Savings Tracker by Jenny Martin at Southern Savers
- Coupon Savings Tracker by Karrie at Happy Money Saver
- Grocery Spending and Coupon Savings Spreadsheet by Stephanie at Couponing 101
- Grocery Savings Calculator by Carrie at Coupon Closet – Note: You will need to “like” her Facebook page to download this tracker.
Using a Savings Tracker
Having used Karrie’s Coupon Savings Tracker for a few years, I find her 2012 version my personal favorite which I will be using again for 2014.
To get two copies, I download the tracker document to my computer, change the title to “2014 savings tracker – food,” and place that document in my Deal folder within My Documents.
Once that document is in place, I open it up, and select “save as.” I then change the title to “2014 savings tracker – other,” and save it.
The result is two documents of the same tracker ready for the information from our receipts.
Evaluating a Savings Tracker
If your time is limited, then you might need to forgo using a savings tracker. For me, the investment of time is invaluable. I find the savings tracker the best tool to evaluate our spending:
1. Immediate calculations
I can see how much we have spent for the month to adjust our spending as needed.
2. Encouragement along the way
When I take a break from couponing and concentrate shopping at Aldi, I know I am saving my family money. But when I get a great deal and see that savings on the spreadsheet, I get excited and want to do it again.
3. Identify changes in our spending habits
By purchasing more fruits and fresh vegetables this year, I saw an increase in our weekly food spending. We went from averaging $80 per week to $115 per week. This $35 weekly increase cost us $1,820 this year.
4. Provide details for considering other options
As we value the fruits and vegetables, I might look into a co-op during growing season to reduce our out-of-pocket expenses on fruits and vegetables while still feeding our family well.
Another option to consider is purchasing a portion of a cow to lower the cost of beef at the grocery store.
With an investment of time to input our receipts into a savings tracker, I am able to evaluate our spending and use the information to better save our family next year. As I see prices increasing, I only get more excited to see how I can use multiple savings strategies to save our family money.
Keep on scheduling 2014. If you have the time to invest, then focus on finding, using, and evaluating a savings tracker. As your calendar fills up, you might find your time best spent on other items. That’s great.
You know what you can and cannot do. Please do not expect more of yourself than you can give. Find what works for you as you continue using time wisely. Happy savings!
Question: If you used a savings tracker last year, what is your savings percentage? Remember, you have to start somewhere. 😀