Many of you know that I use a PDA to track my spending and budget, but because PDAs are generally expensive and bulky devices, I've tried to operate without one. And that's what I've been doing for the past... six weeks I think.
Although I've learned that I can operate just fine without one, I also currently have no idea what my exact spending is nor where I stand on my budget. For example, I can't tell you how much I've spent so far on food this past 5 days, whereas I used to be able to tell you down to the last cent. I also can't tell you how much is budgeted so far to buy more cellphone minutes. And until I log on to my online account, I don't know exactly how much is on my credit card.
Luckily, I am still living below my means, and I still check my bank accounts daily, bills weekly, and net worth monthly. So, I know I can do just fine without the PDA. But without it, I've lost a sense of precision that I sorely miss.
I am still hopeful that I can find something equally powerful and effective for me some day, minus the bulk and the expense. (By the way, anybody have any good recommendations?) But for now, I've decided to go back to my PDA.
My failed experiment
August 11th, 2010 at 01:23 pm
August 11th, 2010 at 04:01 pm 1281542498
Oooh! I feel your pain on that one. I use a variety of methods (notebook in the car, but then I transfer data when I get home and check/recheck ...sick, yes!)
Perfect description, though. For me, it's ALL about the precision.
August 12th, 2010 at 12:23 am 1281572630
August 12th, 2010 at 03:45 am 1281584720
However, my PDA (Palm E2) is starting to get elderly and I wonder how I'm going to replace it. Nobody sells them anymore - smartphones have replaced the PDA.
August 13th, 2010 at 10:26 am 1281695160