The *Magic* Spreadsheet That Will Change Your Life

My relationship with numbers has always been great. My relationship with money not so much.

Nothing highlighted these two relationships more than when I started my own business. I had one month’s rent in my checking account, nothing in savings, and no backup plan. I realized that I had become emotionally attached to the idea of safety that an employer-supplied paycheck promised.

Plus, I was pretty new to the whole budgeting thing (two years new in fact) and had only just conquered a significant amount of personal debt.

The lack of money was uncomfortable. The lack of certainty and control was nearly crippling. And trying to learn how to use Quickbooks was not helping.

So, I built a spreadsheet.

My needs were simple. I wanted to know how much money I was going to bring in on any given month. I also wanted to know how much money I was planning on spending each month. And most importantly, on any given day, I wanted to know when the money would run out.

I had personally seen entrepreneurs and freelancers become blinded by a big paycheck - only to spend it all without planning for the slow months or even taxes. That reality terrified me and so I wanted a tracking tool that was easy to update and would help me sleep better at night knowing that I was going to meet rent that month.

Over time, I tweaked my spreadsheet to contain other calculations and functions that I found helpful. It was never intended to be a replacement for Quickbooks or an accountant. I’m definitely not a financial advisor or accounting specialist.

Rather it became a day-to-day tool that transformed me into the type of coach and business owner who knew my numbers…. and wasn’t afraid of them.

I started sharing this spreadsheet with friends, colleagues, and clients who quickly dubbed it The Magic Spreadsheet. And I honestly think that’s a fair name. If you’ve ever been panicked by money or felt fear when facing your bank account, then you know how truly magical it can be to have a command over your finances.

Now I’m sharing it with you. Because you deserve to feel that magic too!

Here’s what to do:

1. Visit The Magic Spreadsheet Template by clicking here or on the button below. You will be taken to a view-only Google Sheets document.

2. Hit ‘File’ and then ‘Make a Copy’ to create your own spreadsheet in your Google Drive. Please note: this spreadsheet was built entirely on Google Drive and while you can try downloading it, the formatting and calculations may not carry over.

3. Watch the tutorial video by clicking here or viewing below to see how I use The Magic Spreadsheet and how you can use it too.

4. Spread the love! If you think that someone in your world would benefit from having this spreadsheet - please pass it on.

And one final thing. No matter where you are right now with your budgeting, finances, or relationship with money - you have nothing to be ashamed of. Facing our money stuff can be truly brutal. But the path to establishing a healthy future only needs to start with one step.

Check out the spreadsheet and let me know what you think - my virtual door is always open.