Ledger Notes

Small notes on bookkeeping, plain-text accounting and spreadsheets.

Why plain-text accounting

Plain files are diffable, portable and easy to back up. A ledger that lives next to your other notes is a ledger you actually keep up to date.

Monthly close checklist

Reconcile every account, tag uncategorized entries, export a balance snapshot and archive receipts in one folder per month.

Spreadsheet tips

Keep raw data on one sheet, formulas on another, and never type a number into a cell that should be calculated.