I heard that the Indus script is actually record of baniya. His balance sheet or some notes about payment. Right or wrong. One thing is confirm. Finance is since from dawn.
I meet with Indian friend in Dubai. He belongs to baniya family. He manage every rupee. He was rich person.
Financially very sharp. He told me from last 10 year, he was maintaining excel sheet for every pony he spent. And he told me, before that he was unorganized. But when he start maintaining where every rupee he getting rich and financially independent.
My father is 72 years old, He also maintain one excel sheet for his spending, saving. He also follow the envelop system. Dave Ramsey also talks about this.
The fundamental of personal finance is understand, how much you spent, where you spent, then you make a budget.
First and most important thing is not every rupee you spent. Until you don’t clear about it. You cannot make budget.
I am using google sheet. Just put four column
First column with Date.
Second column, what amount you spent.
Third column, about it is cash or credit.
Fourth column, category or classification, for example grocery, Dinning out, Traveling.
Fifth column is about comments
Sixth column is optional, but ask, is it necessary or we can save this amount.
Update this excel / google sheet on daily bases. Follow this religiously.
After one month, you have clear understanding where amount going, where you spent. After that you will be able to move next step. Like budgeting and balance sheet.