Msg: 4209 *Conference*
04-14-93 23:26:12
From: RICHARD HANSON
To : TIM DOUGHERTY
Subj: REPLY TO MSG #4205 (SPREADSHEETING)
Excellent! That's the spirit. Use the spreadsheet program to track and compare. And, like I said in the last message, it doesn't matter what the application is, as long as you try a wide variety of applications. You don't have to keep using the spreadsheet program now that you've set something up. It's the set up and initial use and adjustments to fit the situation that counts; not its continuous use. Here's an idea to go along with your shopping-sheet. Set up a performa where in you track food and other purchases thus far this year. Now, extend your calculations through to December and see what the bottom line is. Lastly, play with ideas that you think you may institute to alter the bottom line in Dec, i.e., using more coupons, setting budgets, looking for sales and special products, etc. Employ some of your ideas this month and record the results. Then, again, extend these adjusted results through Dec. You may find that you can "really" start controlling household expenses just because you can not only see what the numbers mean, but that you can play with ideas, employ those ideas, and instantly see the results. On that same note: Get the whole family involved. Have one of your kids keep track of the numbers. Gather around and look at the numbers and their meaning to all of you. Then, suggest and employ changes. The process will help in many, many ways. Spread-them-sheets... -Rick-