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How to Track Business Expenses Simply
Expense tracking fails when it is complicated. The system that survives is: log it the day it happens, in a sensible category, and let totals build themselves. This guide sets that up in your browser — monthly views, category totals, and an export your accountant will accept happily.
Step by step
- Open the Expense Tracker and add your first expense: date, description, category, amount.
- Use consistent categories (Materials, Fuel, Tools, Software, Marketing, Insurance…) — the presets cover most trades.
- Glance at the monthly total before big purchases; the number keeps spending honest.
- Export the records at month-end or tax time for your files or accountant.
- Make it a 2-minute end-of-day habit, like locking up.
Try it now — free, no sign-up
Open the Expense Tracker tool
Open the Expense Tracker tool
Tips for better results
- Photograph paper receipts the same day and file the photos by month — paper fades and vanishes.
- Separate the sneaky ones: a personal card used for business fuel still counts — log it, note it.
- Category totals at year-end are your pricing data: they feed straight into your hourly-rate and markup math.
Frequently asked questions
What categories should I use?
Start with: Materials, Fuel/Travel, Tools & Equipment, Software/Subscriptions, Marketing, Insurance, Rent/Utilities, Professional fees, Other. Add one only when 'Other' gets crowded.
Do I still need to keep receipts?
Yes — the tracker is your index, the receipt is the proof. Keep photos or paper for anything your tax authority might ask about.
Where is the data stored?
In your browser on your device, nowhere else. Export regularly so you always have a portable copy.