Spreadsheet Spending Tracker

The real answer depends on spending, not headline numbers.

Open Spending and Categorization Tracker

Spending Tracker — Spreadsheet Version

For those who prefer to work in their own environment, the spreadsheet tracker gives you full control over your data. Build your own categorisation rules, customise the analysis to suit your needs, and work entirely offline — nothing ever leaves your device.

It covers the same four-step process described on the How Much Do I Need page, with keyword-based transaction matching, category-level spending analysis, and the flexibility to adjust for your future retirement lifestyle.

Download your free copy below — open it in Google Sheets or Excel, then save your own copy to get started.

For best results, start with at least one full year of bank transactions.

Download the spreadsheet Here

IMPORTANT : After opening the google sheet, from the "file" menu and select download to make your own free copy for your own personal use.

Step 1: Build Your Data Foundation

To get a meaningful view of your spending, start with at least one full year of data. This ensures you capture seasonal fluctuations, annual bills, and holiday spending. Once you have your first year in place, adding previous years will reveal long-term trends.

Import Transactions: Paste your bank export data into the Spending Details sheet. You only need the date, amount, and description.
Categorise Your Transactions: Fill in the keyword matching table on the right — enter a keyword from the bank description, the Vendor name, and the Category. The spreadsheet will match each transaction automatically.
Add as Needed: Add new rows to the matching table as new transaction types appear.

Transactions entered here

Categorization Table

Step 2: Automate the Matching

Once your rules are in place, right-click and Refresh the pivot tables in the Spending Analysis and Spending per Month tabs to see your spending broken down by category and by month.

Spending by Category

Spending by Month

Step 3: Adjust for Your Future Lifestyle

Use your categorised data to model your transition into retirement. Identify expenses that will disappear — such as mortgage repayments or work costs — and plan for increases in healthcare or travel. The result is a Required Income figure based on your real habits, not a guess.

Step 4: Test Your Strategy in the Planner

Enter your Required Income figure into the Retirement Planning Tool to see how long your savings will last.

NOW TEST YOUR NUMBERS IN THE PLANNER

Spreadsheet Planner

Web App Planner

Disclaimer

Super laws, tax rules, and Centrelink assessments are complex, frequently changing, and include many exceptions. The information provided is general in nature, current as of 2026, and is not financial, legal, or tax advice. Individual circumstances, fund types, and grandfathered provisions may affect these rules, and rates and thresholds can change without notice. You should consult a licensed financial adviser, tax agent, or qualified professional before making decisions about your super, retirement, or estate planning.

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