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ryguy904
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Your MBA Budget 04 Jun 2008, 17:46
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I’m an absolute fanatic when it comes to managing my personal finances. On a daily basis, I know the value of my personal stock portfolio, 401k, total net worth, etc. I have been managing a personal budget for nearly three years. With people about to enter MBA programs in mind, I’ve adopted a version of my budget and made it applicable to planning for your first year of school (I’ll do a two year version for version 2.0 whenever I get more time). Frankly, this is nothing particularly specific in regards to MBA budget planning. In fact, you could use this for your non-MBA or post-MBA life. As I said, I have been using a similar version for ~3years. However, since I realize that people are generally much less fanatical or inclined (for lack of a better word) about personal finances, at least compared to myself, I’ve adopted a simpler form of my budget/planning tool to help you prepare for the massive financial burden known as Business School.

Feel free to ask any questions. Also, let me know if you come across any errors or have any suggestions for improvement.


Cheers,
ryguy

PS And for those that are interested, I have a more “hardcore” version that allows you to track your expenses on a daily/monthly/yearly basis. Furthermore, you can compare it to the forecast/projections that you made. If there is enough demand, I’d be willing to scrub my personal data and publish that as well.
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MBA Budget v1.0.xls [73 KiB]
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dghazer
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Your MBA Budget 04 Jun 2008, 17:51
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Nice spreadsheet. I thought I was pretty good at tracking my personal expenses, but I am not in the same league. I wouldn't mind taking a look at the more hardcore version as well.
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agold
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Your MBA Budget 04 Jun 2008, 20:14
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Ryguy,

Are you matriculating at USC?
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ryguy904
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Your MBA Budget 04 Jun 2008, 20:31
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terp06
Ryguy,

Are you matriculating at USC?
Show more


I'm waiting on Anderson right now (WL). Otherwise, I'm going to have to decide between USC and reapp. I felt like I was so close with Columbia that it may be worth the chance of applying ED. I'm supposed to have a feedback session with my Columbia WL manager soon. I'm hoping to find out how "competitive" I really was.
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agold
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Your MBA Budget 04 Jun 2008, 20:35
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ryguy904
terp06
Ryguy,

Are you matriculating at USC?


I'm waiting on Anderson right now (WL). Otherwise, I'm going to have to decide between USC and reapp. I felt like I was so close with Columbia that it may be worth the chance of applying ED. I'm supposed to have a feedback session with my Columbia WL manager soon. I'm hoping to find out how "competitive" I really was.
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Makes sense - Best of luck and keep us posted.
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sondenso
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Your MBA Budget 04 Jun 2008, 22:51
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Thanks Ry, very helpful!
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kryzak
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Your MBA Budget 05 Jun 2008, 07:49
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Nice Ryguy! I'm equally fanatic and have been using Microsoft Money to track *every* single expense I've had since 2001 daily. Even during vacation. This way I know exactly how much I'm spending and if I'm violating any of my budgets.

I encourage everyone to do that while in school, since you are no longer earning an income and can easily end up in more debt than you can handle post-MBA (even with a cushy I-Banking job). :P
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Your MBA Budget 05 Jun 2008, 09:01
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great spreadsheet ryguy.

very detailed. i have my own type of spreadsheet as well, but yours puts mine to shame!
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Your MBA Budget 05 Jun 2008, 20:20
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Great excel sheet! I made my own during my second year in college, but no where near as well put together as yours. :P
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VictoryMBA
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Your MBA Budget 06 Jun 2008, 09:19
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I don't make a lot of money, and subsequently don't have too many expenses. My expenses are literally only rent, food, and beer. Work pays for my blackberry, rent includes utilities, and I don't have cable or internet, and no car. I use the extra money to get beer and order pizzas on the weekend :lol: Post MBA I hope to have that spreadsheet filled! :twisted: Nice work though, thanks!
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Your MBA Budget 08 Jun 2008, 00:13
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I can't seem download anything other than a 0kb file. I recall having this problem before but don't remember the solution. Ideas? Thanks!
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ryguy904
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Your MBA Budget 09 Jun 2008, 07:45
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Toploader
I can't seem download anything other than a 0kb file. I recall having this problem before but don't remember the solution. Ideas? Thanks!
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I can't download anything from work for some reason (but I can download at home). Perhaps you are blocked from your office as well....?
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bsd_lover
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Your MBA Budget 09 Jun 2008, 21:16
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Trust a CFA to come up with something like this !!! :) great stuff +1
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helg
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Your MBA Budget 11 Jun 2008, 04:42
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Nice, ryguy904! Thanks, kudos to you!

I was always a slacker when it came to budgeting, now I hope to mend my ways 8-)
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MBAbot
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Your MBA Budget 10 Oct 2014, 01:50
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Automated notice from GMAT Club MBAbot:

A member just gave Kudos to this thread, showing it’s still useful. I’ve bumped it to the top so more people can benefit. Feel free to add your own questions or solutions.

This post was generated automatically.