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Expense Tracker
Write down what you spend as you go and see where the money went. Every expense is saved in this browser only, totals update instantly for any month, and the charts show your biggest categories and how this month compares with the last twelve.
Last updated:
Spending by category
Monthly totals (last 12 months)
Expenses
| Date | Category | Note | Amount | Actions |
|---|
No expenses for this selection yet. Add one above.
You are looking at sample expenses. Press Clear all to start your own list.
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How to use the Expense Tracker
- Add an expense: pick the date, type the amount, choose a category and add a short note, then press Add expense (or Enter).
- Pick a month in the month selector to see that month's total, daily average and category breakdown. Choose All months for the overall picture.
- Set a monthly budget if you want a progress bar that shows how much is left for the selected month.
- Fix mistakes with the Edit and Delete buttons in the list, or search by note or category.
- Back up or move your data with Download CSV, and bring older records in with Import CSV.
How the expense tracker calculates your numbers
Every figure comes straight from the expenses you log, with no estimates:
- Monthly total = the sum of every expense dated in that calendar month.
- Daily average = monthly total ÷ days in the month. For the month you are in, it divides by the days elapsed so far, so on the 10th a $500 total shows $50 per day, not $16.
- Category share = category total ÷ monthly total × 100.
- Change vs last month = (this month − last month) ÷ last month × 100. A partly finished month will usually look lower, so compare complete months for trends.
- Budget used = monthly total ÷ budget × 100. The bar turns orange past 85% and red once you go over.
Suggested categories and what goes in them
| Category | Typical entries | Fixed or flexible? |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent or mortgage, HOA dues, renter's or home insurance, repairs | Mostly fixed |
| Utilities | Electricity, gas, water, trash, internet, phone | Fixed with seasonal swings |
| Groceries | Supermarket and warehouse store food, household basics | Flexible |
| Dining out | Restaurants, takeout, delivery, coffee shops | Flexible |
| Transport | Fuel, transit passes, parking, tolls, ride shares, car maintenance | Mixed |
| Subscriptions | Streaming, music, cloud storage, apps, memberships | Fixed until cancelled |
| Health | Co-pays, pharmacy, dental, glasses, gym | Mixed |
| Shopping | Clothing, electronics, home goods, gifts | Flexible |
| Entertainment | Movies, events, games, hobbies | Flexible |
| Travel | Flights, hotels, trip spending | Occasional |
Tips for tracking expenses that actually sticks
- Log right after paying. Ten seconds at the checkout beats trying to rebuild a week from memory.
- Keep categories few and broad. Ten to twelve categories are enough to see patterns; too many makes every entry a decision.
- Separate fixed and flexible costs. Fixed costs (rent, insurance, subscriptions) change only when you renegotiate or cancel; flexible costs (food, shopping) respond to day-to-day choices.
- Review once a month. Compare the donut chart with the previous month and pick one category to adjust.
- Back up with CSV. The data lives in this browser, so download a CSV at the end of each month. It opens in any spreadsheet.
Frequently asked questions
Where are my expenses stored?
In your browser's local storage on this device. Nothing is sent to a server and there is no account. Clearing your browser data or using a private window removes the list, so download a CSV now and then as a backup or to move your expenses to another device.
What CSV format can I import?
Any comma, semicolon or tab separated file with a date column and an amount column. A category column and a note or description column are used when present. Dates such as 2026-03-15, 03/15/2026 and Mar 15, 2026 are understood. Rows without a valid date or amount are skipped and counted, so you can see if anything was left out.
How is the daily average calculated?
The monthly total is divided by the number of days in that month. For the current month it is divided by the days elapsed so far, so the figure reflects your real pace rather than being diluted by days that have not happened yet.
Can I add my own categories?
Yes. Choose Custom category in the category list and type a name. The new category appears in the list, the charts and the CSV export. Imported files with unknown categories add those categories automatically.
Should I track income here too?
This tool is built for spending. Enter refunds as a negative amount in the same category if you want them to reduce a total. For income versus spending over time, a budget calculator or bank statement analyzer is a better fit.
What is a good way to start tracking expenses?
Log every purchase for one full month without trying to change anything. At the end of the month look at the two or three biggest categories; those are where small changes make the largest difference. Then set a realistic budget based on what you actually spent.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.
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