I've tried every budgeting app: YNAB, Mint, You Need a Budget. They're good, but they ask for your bank login and sell your data (or go out of business—RIP Mint). A personal finance spreadsheet does the same job with full privacy and zero cost.
You only need four sheets to start:
That's it. Most people overcomplicate finance tracking with 30 categories and color-coded charts. Start with 5-8 categories: Housing, Food, Transport, Utilities, Health, Entertainment, Savings, Other.
The spreadsheet is just a tool. The real value comes from a 15-minute monthly review. Look at each category: Did you overspend? Why? Was it a one-time thing or a pattern? Adjust next month's budget accordingly. The goal isn't to perfectly predict spending—it's to understand your patterns and make better decisions next month.
If you use cryptocurrency (like USDT for purchases or savings), track it in your spreadsheet too. Note the USD equivalent at the time of the transaction. This is important for both budgeting and tax purposes—most countries treat crypto transactions as taxable events, and tracking the fiat value at transaction time saves headaches later.