 TITLE: How to Track Your Expenses CONTENT: Why You Should Track Your Expenses\n----------------------------------\nTracking your expenses can keep your spending on a parallel track with your income and help you avoid overspending. This goes hand in hand with setting up a budget.\nHere are four reasons why you should spend the time to track your expenses:\n1.  It gives you a clearer picture of how you're spending money. Without this insight into your finances, you might be spending more than you think. Or you could be wasting money (on an unused gym membership, for instance) that you could be putting toward an emergency fund or a retirement account.\n2.  It causes you to think before you spend. Seeing all those dollar signs when you track expenses can prompt you to ponder your purchases. Do you really _need_ that new phone or do you simply _want_ it? By giving more consideration to your spending, you might be able to avoid impulse purchases.\n3.  It helps you spot fraudulent activity. When you closely track your expenses, you can more easily catch fraudulent transactions on your credit or debit cards.\n4.  It helps you reach your financial goals. If you know where your money is going, then you can get a better handle on where to cut expenses. You can allocate this \"found\" money for your children's college fund or your special account for a down payment on a new home. END