How do you keep track of repairs & costs? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bznupe30 · #1 06-04-2009, 11:23 PM

Hi All

Once upon a time I knew there was a spreadsheet going around so you could track your expenses & repair intervals.

What are folks using these days. Now that I have the wifes car back on the road I would like to try to stay on top of things & not repat them if not needed.

Thanks A Lot

Oracle12345 · #2 06-04-2009, 11:28 PM

I save recipts and keep a log of the repairs writing down the mileage it occured it etc

tbomachines · #3 06-04-2009, 11:40 PM

I use a spreadsheet, makes it easier for me. Of course, I spend about 6 hours a day on excel for work anyways so dreaming up the next thing i want for my car is a nice distraction.

charmalu · #4 06-04-2009, 11:41 PM

I have a log book they use where I worked. There is one book for ea piece of equipment that stays with it until it dies or is sold.

the front has all the info like VIN# and that info. hoses, belts, filters, type of different lubercants.

section for tires and rotation.

section for all the filter changes, oils, trans, diff., rad flush. when thing were changed or checked.

back has all the work done.

I also have a folder for every reciept and work done to the car. front of the folder starts when we first bought it, and the last thing done , in the rear. starting to look like a Sears and Robuck cat.

I was thinking of having a white board with eraseable markers in the shop to keep track also.

Charlie

mb911 · #5 06-04-2009, 11:42 PM

I have an electronic spreadsheet for each car stating the date, mileage, and maintenance item done.

MTUpower · #6 06-05-2009, 12:04 AM

I use Spock like vulcan mind melds.

Brandon_SLC · #7 06-05-2009, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I use Spock like vulcan mind melds.

I just add it up in my head. Seems cheaper that way.

(Cuz I can never remember everything.)

TylerH860 · #8 06-05-2009, 12:25 AM

Service reciepts organized in chronological order. The more impressive purchases I did a spread sheet.

Trigger's for example.

sasquatchgeoff · #9 06-05-2009, 12:33 AM

I have a credit card I use just for the car. I am reminded of the fortune I am spending on my car every month.

RML · #10 06-05-2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Service reciepts organized in chronological order. The more impressive purchases I did a spread sheet.

Nice spreadsheet, Tyler. Mine is very similar. You can also add a column and give a line a letter code, such as "O" for oil change, and "W" for wax, and "B" for wiper blade change. Then you can use the filter function to filter for that item to see when you did it last or its history.

RML · #11 06-05-2009, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasquatchgeoff

I have a credit card I use just for the car. I am reminded of the fortune I am spending on my car every month.

If it gives you cash back, and you do enough repairs, you will save up enough for your next car.

pawoSD · #12 06-05-2009, 12:48 AM

I just don't keep track. Its better that way.

I can remember pretty much all repairs I have done to all the cars, and even their mileages and oil change mile marks etc....I am a freak.

I do however, not bother to store the costs.......

Gene Horr · #13 06-05-2009, 01:57 AM

The best way is a proper log book. I've always written the part numbers down in the repair entries but charmalu's idea of writing those number in the front is a great idea.

Second best is a spreadsheet like TylerH860. But paper will outlive hard drive crashes .

Whichever way you go you want to record the date, mileage what was done, who did it, and the warranty period if any at the minimum. If you discovered little tricks that may help you later this is also a good place to jot it down.

I keep a copy of the receipts in their own file by date.

The log allows you to quickly browse previous repairs which is not easy to do when digging through many years worth of receipts. Plus the information that you most often need - what was done, when, and by whom - is right there in one place.

Until you get in the habit doing the log is going to take a lot of self-discipline. Like most paperwork it is a pain in the rear. Especially after you've spent half the day in the sun cursing at the car trying to get it fixed. But a couple of years down the road and those records are worth gold. Force yourself to do it each day. Maybe do a punishment/reward by not allowing yourself that cold beer when you are done until you've written up the log .

TylerH860 · #14 06-05-2009, 02:20 AM

Its nice to have it all organized for a quick look up, and you can keep the hard copy receipts should you lose the information on the computer.

pawoSD · #15 06-05-2009, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gene Horr

The best way is a proper log book. I've always written the part numbers down in the repair entries but charmalu's idea of writing those number in the front is a great idea.

Second best is a spreadsheet like TylerH860. But paper will outlive hard drive crashes .

Whichever way you go you want to record the date, mileage what was done, who did it, and the warranty period if any at the minimum. If you discovered little tricks that may help you later this is also a good place to jot it down.

I keep a copy of the receipts in their own file by date.

The log allows you to quickly browse previous repairs which is not easy to do when digging through many years worth of receipts. Plus the information that you most often need - what was done, when, and by whom - is right there in one place.

Until you get in the habit doing the log is going to take a lot of self-discipline. Like most paperwork it is a pain in the rear. Especially after you've spent half the day in the sun cursing at the car trying to get it fixed. But a couple of years down the road and those records are worth gold. Force yourself to do it each day. Maybe do a punishment/reward by not allowing yourself that cold beer when you are done until you've written up the log .

Data outlives hard drive failure by using an appropriate backup method. In my case, my data lives on two mirrored servers, both running RAID. Something disastrous enough to eliminate that data would surely take a log book with it.

Digital is always better. The key is to use it properly.