Record-Keeping Books
Journals, Ledgers, Planners
Christine’s Journal System
I create these journals because I want an organized way to go back and find “treasures” that would otherwise be very hard to find.
Here’s my system:
JOURNALS & INDEX
1. Hardback JOURNAL 8 1/2″ x 11″ with 246 numbered pages
2. Year and volume number printed on the cover and spine (I love this!)
3. A separate INDEX: 8 1/2″ x 11″ with 236 pages–good for a decade or more with A-to-Z pages for me to create my own subjects and keep them in alphabetical order.
INDEXING MY ENTRIES
4. After writing, I consider the subject of the entry and write in the margin in all caps.
5. Next, I find (or add) the subject to my index and simply record the journal year, volume number and page number like so: 2018: 3: 165.
FINDING MY “TREASURES”
6. I finish around three journals each year. Even after a new year, I continue using my current journal until it is complete, and then add it to a shelf of journals (all labeled and in a row–so nice!)
7. When there is something I remember I wrote and want to find, I go to my index. I look through the possible themes and search the entries listed under the subject in my various journals until I find it. Relatively speaking, it doesn’t take long at all.
Enjoy!
The Über Ledgers
My Über Ledger financial record-keeping system is “over and beyond” a simple ledger. It’s big (2 books) and thorough and helpful. I’ve been using and improving it since 2017, when I first opted for pen and paper record-keeping over a digital spreadsheet.
Now, why would I choose to write everything down rather than use a handy-dandy app?
1. I can look at all my records from every year in a neatly bound and labeled book. (Books are nice.)
2. I can enter transactions away from my computer. And I think less screen time is a good idea, even for moms.
3. When preparing our annual budget, my husband and I can easily look at records from past years to make informed decisions. (We’re not just looking at program-generated bottom-line numbers; we can look at specific spending choices.)
4. It works for me. I have been able to maintain this kind of record-keeping since 2017! My records are complete whereas they never were before.
5. Tax time, financial-aid forms, calculating how much money we actually have on a given day…all these are significantly less-stressful and less-time consuming.
6. I can know where we stand financially all the time, even before purchases have cleared the bank. It’s great!
The Master Transaction Log simplifies our complicated finances. All on one spread are spaces for two bank accounts, two credit card accounts, and cash on hand! There are also separate logs for cash savings, gift card balances, long-term savings, business reimbursements, which kid owes me for what, and more.
The Budget Book includes a to-do list, a place to keep track of our bills, charitable donations, income, and online purchases, plus monthly forms to keep track of what we spend by category, how well we are staying in budget, and how much of our budget remains for the rest of the year.
An additional book, the 5-Year Financial Planner gives me a place to set financial goals and look at records over multiple years.
I hope you try it out.
