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How to Take Your Financial Inventory (and why you should)

Have you woken up one day, looked around and wondered where all the debt came from?  What have you got to show for the multiple credit card balances, student loans, and empty bank accounts?

Are you feeling ready to take the proverbial bull by the horns and start cleaning up this financial mess you’ve found yourself in?

Feeling overwhelmed about how to get started? Don’t fret….we are going to walk through this together.

I have been where you are, I have felt how you feel and I have lived to talk type about it!  By now you have your money mindset on point and you are ready to get started!

Check out my Begin to Budget Bundle to help you create a budget you can actually stick to!  I created this bundle based on the exact system we used to pay off $54,000 of debt in only 22 months! This 29-page printable budget binder will help you organize your finances, pay off debt and save money!

My posts often contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I truly think you’ll love! For more info see my disclosure policy.

 

Related Posts »

  • How to create a simple monthly budget you can stick to
  • The most effective systems for getting out of debt
  • How to drastically cut expenses to get out of debt quickly
  • 5 Fun savings challenges to help you boost your savings

 

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The next step is to get out your trusty pen and paper and get to werkkk!

Much like they say about losing weight, so is cleaning up your finances.

This is going to take patience and time.  This didn’t just happen overnight?!  Your current financial life is a culmination of months, years, maybe even decades of bad decisions.

It took time to get yourself to this place and it’s going to take time and lots of hard work to get yourself out! Just so we are clear….this is going to take HARD WORK [repeating for dramatic effect], but please believe me when I tell you it will be SO worth it!

 

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WHAT IS FINANCIAL INVENTORY?

In order to get off on the right foot, it is imperative to get a solid picture of what you are working with.

Warning: this can be really emotional.  Put on your big girl panties, grab your notebook, calculator and maybe a strong drink!  This won’t take long but it is a very important step.

If you have a spouse/partner on board ask them to join you for this as it will be to your benefit to work as a team!

 

This worksheet helped me take my financial inventory and get a clear picture of my current financial situation! It helped me see how much debt I had and helped me finally create a plan to work toward financial freedom! #lifeofstones #financialfreedom #daveramsey #personalfinance

 

 

1| TOTAL YOUR BILLS

Get all your bills together, write them all down.  Every single recurring monthly bill.  (not credit cards yet) Any car leases, utilities, child support, alimony, and any other obligations that are monthly.

Just list the bill and the amount. For any loans, we are focusing ONLY on the minimum payments due at this time.

 

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2| TOTAL YOUR DEBTS

Next, you are going to list all your debt!  All of it. Get the TOTAL outstanding balance at this time. *take a few sips of your drink if needed*.

Be sure to also include any deferred student loans, credit cards with 0% interest, anything that you owe to somebody else should go here.

Any mortgages on any properties except your primary residence belong here as well.  Total it all up.  *breathe*

 

Related Articles »

  • How we used Dave Ramsey’s baby steps to get out of debt
  • Our debt story pt 1 – How we found ourselves in $35,000 of debt
  • 8 Failproof ways to help you improve your finances
  • 7 practical tips to help you have a stress-free tax season

 

3| TOTAL YOUR ASSETS

Head to your assets now.  Get the balance of any and all NON-retirement accounts and investments.

Anything that is already in a retirement account will incur large penalties if withdrawn early so we want to leave those alone!

We do, however, want to include any [non-retirement] single stocks, mutual funds, cash value of any whole-life insurance policies, checking accounts, savings accounts and any shoe-boxes-filled-with-cash under the bed!

Be sure to add up each column and that’s it!  This is a simple exercise but it can be really emotional!

Maybe your situation is more dire than you realized (boo), or maybe it’s not as bad as you had initially thought (yay)!?

Either way, if you aren’t clear on where you are starting out it will be hard to develop a clear plan for where to go!

When I first did this exercise one night while B was at work I felt like my throat was closing up and I couldn’t breathe.

My anxiety was at an all-time high and when I saw that big $35,000 at the bottom of the “debt column” and the big fat zero at the bottom of the “asset column” I felt so hopeless.

I had never really added up all our debt and those numbers, in ink, staring back at me were like a slap in the face.  That was it.  That was rock bottom.  We really had nowhere to go but up….so up we went!

And so will you 🙂  Have you gone through this process before?  Were you shocked or already pretty clear on your current financials?  Don’t forget to check out my new Begin to Budget Bundle to help you get started budgeting today! 

 

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It is essential to take "inventory" of your finances to determine your monthly expenses and total debt. Having a snapshot of your finances allows you to see where you need to make changes! Includes free printable! #lifeofstones #personalfinance #financialpeace #debtpayoff

It is essential to take "inventory" of your finances to determine your monthly expenses and total debt. Having a snapshot of your finances allows you to see where you need to make changes! Includes free printable! #lifeofstones #personalfinance #financialpeace #debtpayoff

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Money 48

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Autumn Murray says

    July 30, 2017 at 7:12 pm

    Great financial tips! I am always worried about financial security. Thanks for the information.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 30, 2017 at 7:20 pm

      I know! It can be scary when you’re not feeling secure, but so great once you are!

      Reply
  2. Kara says

    July 29, 2017 at 10:54 pm

    Great advice–I think the best thing I’ve ever done for my own finances is to write everything down.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 30, 2017 at 7:11 pm

      Absolutely!!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer S says

    July 29, 2017 at 1:40 am

    I’m totally subscribing to your blog. I need a refresh on finances. I totally agree that this is necessary, but we’ve gotten distracted lately. Thank you so much for the reminder!!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 29, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      Great, Jennifer! So happy to have you!

      Reply
  4. Lisa says

    July 28, 2017 at 11:15 pm

    It is so good to do this, even though it is scary! We did the same thing a few years ago and it really helped to set us on the right road.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 29, 2017 at 1:39 am

      That’s great Lisa!

      Reply
  5. Stacey says

    July 28, 2017 at 7:29 pm

    Great article! It’s so important to take an honest look at where you stand; hiding won’t solve anything. Thanks for the reminder to look at things with honesty!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 29, 2017 at 1:38 am

      It can be really tough but if you don’t know you won’t have a true starting point!

      Reply
  6. Joanne says

    July 28, 2017 at 5:41 pm

    Thanks for the great info!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 29, 2017 at 1:37 am

      Anytime Joanne 🙂

      Reply
  7. Lori says

    July 28, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    This is a nice breakdown that makes it feel manageable (if still scary!)!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 29, 2017 at 1:37 am

      Way more manageable!

      Reply
  8. kiersten says

    July 28, 2017 at 5:04 pm

    it can be such a simple thing to do, but so hard to get motivated to do it. i love how to break it down and make it much less intimidating!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 29, 2017 at 1:36 am

      I agree, when you break it into smaller steps, it’s easier to get through!

      Reply
  9. Traci | The Petite Chef says

    July 28, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    Great tips! Financial security is so important!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 9:30 pm

      Thanks, Traci…agreed!

      Reply
  10. Courtney says

    July 28, 2017 at 2:04 pm

    I’ve been working so hard on my finances lately and though I’m scared to see where we are at with this, I know that it’s important to just do it and start working to fix it!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 9:28 pm

      You have to start somewhere! Maybe you’re better off thank you think!

      Reply
  11. Melissa says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    Is it okay of I take many gulps over sips of my drink while adding up my debt? (Lol) very good suggestions here! I’m going to print the worksheet and follow your steps (with a big bottle of wine, heck with the glass, right!)

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 9:27 pm

      hahaha absolutely! Whatever it takes to get the job done 🙂

      Reply
  12. Jennifer says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:17 pm

    Helpful info. Thanks. So good for people to know how to do this.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:41 pm

      Thanks Jennifer, I agree, it’s so important to really have to a clear financial picture!

      Reply
  13. Celeste Godoy says

    July 28, 2017 at 6:02 am

    What a great challenge! Will definitely use those worksheets 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:42 pm

      Glad to hear, Celeste!

      Reply
  14. Emily says

    July 28, 2017 at 5:04 am

    Moving towards paying off debt is a good feeling. The hard work and self-control pays off in the long run for financial security.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:42 pm

      The BEST feeling!!

      Reply
  15. Shelanda says

    July 28, 2017 at 2:01 am

    I’ve recently taken my financial inventory. I’m working on getting out of debt.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Totally is 🙂

      Reply
  16. Carmen says

    July 28, 2017 at 1:15 am

    Great plan for taking my financial inventory. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Thanks, Carmen!

      Reply
  17. Gina says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:40 am

    This is helpful! Thanks so much for the insight – it helps to ease some of the stress!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      It absolutely will Gina!

      Reply
  18. lisa says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:31 am

    Good tips!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:44 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  19. Jacqueline Marie says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:29 am

    My husband and I just did this literally 2 weeks ago! We decided we wanted to make some long term financial goals and this was the first step in the process. What an eye opener! Thanks for the info and being real about it!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:45 pm

      That’s great Jacqueline, glad to hear!

      Reply
  20. Sheree says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:19 am

    Great post, Kristin! This will certainly help people who are in debt get started with taking control of their money situation. I like the way you lightened up a difficult topic for people!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:45 pm

      Thank you, Sheree!!

      Reply
  21. Whitney Thill says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:04 am

    LOVE THIS. I am a financial nut after doing a DR program several years ago. Loved reading this and your worksheets!!

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:46 pm

      Whitney isn’t it funny how much he changes your perspective!?

      Reply
  22. Lisa says

    July 28, 2017 at 12:02 am

    This is often an overwhelming start for many people! I like how you broke it down into simple categories.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you, Lisa, yes, it can be really overwhelming!

      Reply
  23. Kamie Berry says

    July 27, 2017 at 11:38 pm

    I really need to do this, but just thinking about it makes me anxious. Thanks for sharing how to do it right.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:47 pm

      I understand, Kamie, but give it a shot! You really can’t make a plan until you know where you’re starting from!

      Reply
  24. Rachel says

    July 27, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    Great read. Debt can often build so fast you don’t know where it’s all coming from. It is amazing the amount of people who don’t have a handle on their finances. I love the idea of a free printable sheet. The visual sure makes a difference.

    Reply
    • Kristinstones says

      July 28, 2017 at 12:48 pm

      You’re so right, it’s pretty crazy!?

      Reply

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Forgetting about these extra expenses can really bust your budget when they come due!

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Wishing you a day filled with love, gratitude...and lots of desserts 😆🥧🍗
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Just in case you really need to hear this, here is your reminder!⁠⠀
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Save, save, save. ⁠⠀
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What advice would you give yourself 10 years ago??
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