Started my spreadsheet today

[AmieW]

I am the spreadsheet queen. I love them so much! Every time I've moved (5 times in 5 years) or had a reason to need money, I've started a spreadsheet to track my income, expenses and savings. It's the only thing that can keep me on track. I even have a spreadsheet for my monthly expenses every year.

So today, I created my Van Living spreadsheet. It sort of makes it real for me. It's a multi-page sheet that is always a work in progress, but as of June 1, it will be my bible. This may seem awfully complicated to you, but for someone who has memory problems, this is the best way I've found to keep things organized.

• Page One: General financials - goals, earnings, expenses, savings - I set a goal, list all my monthly earnings, spending and savings, and keep a running total of my progress. I'll be setting up a savings account just for my van purchase and build-out, so this is a good way to see how hard I'm going to have to work every month to achieve my goals. I always set my goals high, so I will still be o.k. if I don't reach them.
• Page Two: Needs - I'm listing all my needs, estimated cost, and also what I have on hand that I may be able to use. For example, I need a kitchen countertop with space underneath, and I have this really sturdy solid wood desk I found out next to the dumpster that would be perfect for that, so I hang onto that while decluttering. 
• Page Three: Resources - This is where I keep links to all the sites and places where I can get information I need to get this thing going; i.e., insurance info, banking info, campsites, WalMarts where I can park, where to find free wifi, etc.
• Page Three: Travel Plans - Here, I map out routes and camping places, length of time to get between one place and another (I figure I can only drive about 10 hours a day, so I use Google Maps to figure out when to stop and find a camping place close by).
• Page Four: Friends information - Here, I keep information about friends, who lives where, meetups, etc.

So far, that's all I've got laid out. I'm working on the financials page first, and I'll be happy to send a copy of it to anyone who is interested, in fact, once I get it all laid out, I'm probably going to save the forms on Google Docs so anyone can share it. I'm also working on setting up a blog, so I'll post a link here when it's read-worthy. I want to document the whole process of this year of preparation to get out on the road and into my new life, so maybe it will help others who are planning or exploring how to do it too.

 

[tx2sturgis]

• so I hang onto that while decluttering. 

I'm pretty much the opposite. I think a 5 gallon jerry can of gasoline and a match are my preferred tools for 'decluttering' at this point.

 

[AmieW]

Sounds like you like organization. Can you find a bank account that has no fee?

As to NEEDS: Keep an eye on the thrift stores and garage sales.

Regarding the Blog, have you done much of that? If so helping others set up a blog of their own might be a sideline income source. Could advertise on Craig's List? Could meet at the library for safety. You could set up a separate Blog just for demonstrations to prospective clients.

Guy

I do like organization. When I worked in offices, my bosses were always amazed at how organized I was. I told them it was because I was lazy and didn't want to work any harder than I had to.

There is plenty of free banking online. For years, I couldn't get a bank account, and I used the H&R Block Emerald card to get direct deposits, and before I got a PayPal debit card, I used to transfer my money from PP to that card to get it out. I get paid through PayPal, so that's what I had to do to have access to my money.

 

[AmieW]

I'm pretty much the opposite. I think a 5 gallon jerry can of gasoline and a match are my preferred tools for 'decluttering' at this point.

LOL! Yeah, if you could see my bedroom that is packed full of boxes, you'd know that I sometimes get that feeling too.

People always wonder why I pick up stuff from beside the dumpster, but I've made over $800 in the past year just selling that stuff, and also, now I have things I need for my van that were free.

 

[rvwandering]

You really are organized!

 May I suggest an addition to Page Three: Travel Plans?  While it is possible to drive 10 hours a day, it's not fun, you'll miss a lot, and it's expensive so it's probably something that you'll do on rare occasions.  For the rest of the time when you can travel slowly check out this great trip planner made by one of the forum members - https://freecampsites.net/#!&query=TripPlanner

 

[AmieW]

You really are organized!

 May I suggest an addition to Page Three: Travel Plans?  While it is possible to drive 10 hours a day, it's not fun, you'll miss a lot, and it's expensive so it's probably something that you'll do on rare occasions.  For the rest of the time when you can travel slowly check out this great trip planner made by one of the forum members - https://freecampsites.net/#!&query=TripPlanner

I plan to go slowly after my initial trip across country. I'll be going from FL to Washington State to see my son, leaving here in July and need to get there as quickly as possible before the rain and cold sets in. I want to stay up there until it starts getting cooler, then head on down the Pacific coast and over to AZ, taking my time. I've always wanted to see the PNW, so I want to spend about a month up there at least, then take my time at a snail's pace to get through Oregon and CA, maybe make a side trip to Nevada. I've never been out west, so this will be a real adventure for me. I might make it down through CA in time for the RTR in 2019, if there is one.

Yes, I'm a planner. I'll have the whole thing planned out up to the RTR, then I'll make other plans. Then again, best laid plans and all that. ETA: Thanks for the link!

 

[FreeToBe]

I am the spreadsheet queen. I love them so much! 

I'm very similar with spreadsheets when I'm trying to make a big decision or figure out something like where my money is going.  As an example, I gave up golf years ago when I did a spreadsheet to track my golf costs and was amazed at the expense of that hobby.  It's hard to get a good grasp on costs like that until you really sit down and run the numbers.

However, you have me beat by a mile on your spreadsheet organization (and organization in general).  I'm more like the "Court Jester of Spreadsheets".