I suck at spreadsheets

[onehair]

I am looking at Excel trying to figure out how to do my own personal spreadsheet so I can calculate my savings rates and how much I am doing towards my goals.  Spreadsheets have always been a foreign language to me but I am envious of the ones you all do here so well and want one too!

Is there anywhere people like me can go to learn how to do a decent personal finance one or do I muddle along and hope for the best?

[Chris22]

I am looking at Excel trying to figure out how to do my own personal spreadsheet so I can calculate my savings rates and how much I am doing towards my goals.  Spreadsheets have always been a foreign language to me but I am envious of the ones you all do here so well and want one too!

Is there anywhere people like me can go to learn how to do a decent personal finance one or do I muddle along and hope for the best?

Couple options.  There are lots of online Excel tutorials, both written and in Youtube form.  There are Excel forums where you can ask specific questions (they tend to focus on the advanced stuff though).  There are "Excel for dummies" type books available at the library/bookstore/Amazon.  There are probably existing Excel templates available for download in various places.  There are also often Excel classes available often through community colleges and other rec/adult ed type programs in most towns.

[tvan]

Chandoo.org

[Rollin]

I just started simple and built from there.  I don't like the pre-made formats as they don't seem to work for what I want (information wise), and they are hard to modify.

[Rezdent]

Excel is really handy and I recommend learning it.
I do want to point out that there are other ways to do this so don't wait until you are an Excel expert to get started.

A notebook, pencil and a calculator work just fine, and this is what I prefer to use, even though I use Excel all day at work.  I also created large charts that are pinned to the wall and draw the graph lines with markers and a ruler.  The chart helps the family see progress, the notebook helps me see where we can improve.

I modeled my method on the steps outlined in the book "Your Money or Your Life".  I recommend the book although the investment section is definitely outdated and weak.

[Eric]

You can always google for a specific thing you're looking for, but sometimes that's hard to find if you don't know the function/formula you should be using.  How about attaching the spreadsheet here and asking us?  What are you having problems with?

[JustGettingStarted1980]

Like most things in life, all it takes is a little practice, followed by some more practice. When I start a new spreadsheet, I find it's helpful to ask myself "What in God's name am I trying to achieve with this time-sucking monstrosity"... and then go from there...

-I've had a student loan debt and payoff spreadsheet for 7 years, its helped me immensely, and began my "money management" process.
-Monthly Budget spreadsheet
-I have a net worth calculator, that includes year to year projections (as well as quarterly projections)
-I have a yearly Effective Tax Rate calculator
-Investments and Returns spreadsheet

It's great when you can connect your spreadsheets and have everything auto-update. Ends of saving hours and hours of time (on the back end, of course)

I'm weird, and find this stuff not only illuminating, but kinda fun. Best of luck to you, and ask specific questions here on this thread, and I'll be happy to answer.

[Tyler]

I am looking at Excel trying to figure out how to do my own personal spreadsheet so I can calculate my savings rates and how much I am doing towards my goals.  Spreadsheets have always been a foreign language to me but I am envious of the ones you all do here so well and want one too!

Is there anywhere people like me can go to learn how to do a decent personal finance one or do I muddle along and hope for the best?

Spreadsheets are great tools!  They take a little practice but are well worth the effort. 

What specifically are you trying to model?  That may affect our recommendations.

[onehair]

I want to calculate my savings per month as a percentage.  I can save x amount per month or definite dollar amounts that I can remember and have no trouble using auto savings that either come out of my paycheck or my primary checking account.  I would like to know what percentage I should be aiming for.
I did do the net worth one in Excel now to figure out the cells.

[Chris22]

I'm weird, and find this stuff not only illuminating, but kinda fun.

My whole career is basically built around building and manipulating Excel, and I love it.  Everything is like a giant puzzle or game.

[crazy jane]

I took free classes at the local library. They helped with the basics. I still prefer paper and pencil. I too have hand drawn graphs on my desk. I believe what I do to track things should be simple. You will find what works best for you.

[Eric]

I want to calculate my savings per month as a percentage.  I can save x amount per month or definite dollar amounts that I can remember and have no trouble using auto savings that either come out of my paycheck or my primary checking account.  I would like to know what percentage I should be aiming for.
I did do the net worth one in Excel now to figure out the cells.

Hell, you don't need a spreadsheet for that!  You should be aiming for the highest percentage possible!  (without moving into deprivation, of course)

[human]

I suck too check this out for returns : http://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=150025

And this for progression : http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/share-your-badassity/one-sheet-to-rule-them-all/

A collection of spreadsheets: http://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/spreadsheet-collection/

I use googlesheets, to make changes for yourself click on file and then click on make a copy.

[simmias]

If you sign up for Mad Fientist's blog (which you should anyway: www.madfientist.com) he'll send you his spreadsheet.  It's fantastic and does everything you want and more.  Calculates your savings rate and how long at your current spending and saving you are from retirement, tracks net worth growth and more.