So, I read this cool article on one of my favorite blogs Consumerist. I fired off a quick note to the editor Ben to suggest a budget spreadsheet roundup. I also gave him access to collaborate on the document. I was just trying to be helpful and I expected to see a post in a few days to announce a roundup. Much to my surprise, I got an entire post of my own!
This threw me off quite a bit. I wasn’t quite sure what the best distribution model for the spreadsheet was, but I’m pretty sure it’s not google docs. Also, when converted to Excel the formulas get all wonky. Now I have a good number of readers that are more annoyed by having to figure out how to properly get and use my spreadsheet than they are helped by using it.
I’m not quite sure what the best way to handle this is. If anyone has any ideas, let me know. I want to allow collaboration, but I don’t want the entire internet to be able to change it at will (if only to preserve the integrity of the formulas).
Update:
I’ve decided to host the file on AWS to simplify posting updates. Here’s the linky:
Debt Spreadsheet
Your Debt Spreadsheet link comes back with an “Access Denied” error message.
John
December 1st, 2010
Oops! Didn’t realize I had to reset the permissions every time I uploaded. Fixed.
Justin
December 1st, 2010
Hey,
Got your spreadsheet from the Consumerist. Thanks!
Is there an easy way to adjust it for monthly paychecks?
Jason
December 4th, 2010
It’s not a trivial change, but it can be done by adjusting each of the formulas in the spreadsheets. To be honest, the formulas for monthly paid are much simpler than biweekly, because they always fall on the same day.
I am brainstorming on a way to make the sheet more flexible for different pay frequencies. I’ll post here if I figure it out.
Justin
December 6th, 2010