In a previous articled, we discussed using a simple technique to track your spending by using a small notepad and committing to documenting all of your expenditures for a specific amount of time.
The next step is to categorize the spending in a simple spreadsheet (on your computer or even on paper).
Now, let's focus on what you can do with the data.
Before you Retire The focus of my business is to help women to plan for their IDEAL lives in retirement because so many people focus exclusively on money for retirement and forget the rest of it.
It cannot be denied, however, that money plays a big part in our everyday lives and that does not change once you retire.
By using the tracking technique to map your expenses before you retire, you can see where you can cutback or make positive changes without depriving yourself.
By making small enhancements to your spending, it is possible to save more for retirement which may give you a greater chance of living the life that you wish to live in retirement.
So, go through your spending tracking notebook with a fine tooth comb.
Are there any areas that you can cut back on or change? Again, the idea is not to deprive yourself of everything that you love but to make sure that you are spending money on what is important to you and that makes your life better.
As you Retire OK, you have made the transition to retirement.
I suggest that you do the spending tracker exercise again because many people that I have talked to said that their daily living expenses actually went down after they retired.
Think about it, these expenses are definitely going to change:

• No morning stop by the local trendy coffee shop for a $5 cup of coffee and a muffin for breakfast
• No commuting to work every morning which saves on gas and wear and tear on your vehicle
• No lunches out
• No more pricey (and probably uncomfortable) outfits to buy
• No more day care costs for your child, grandchild, or pet

When you do the new spending tracker exercise, you may be pleasantly surprised but this again is a good opportunity to maximize your spending power because you may be making less money now as well.
The spending tracker exercise is designed to help you incorporate your money into your life instead of building your life around money.
It allows you to identify what is important to you and continue to do that by cutting back on other areas.
It's worth the time and small investment for a notebook.
Give it a try; I'd love to hear about any revelations that you discover by using this process.