My name is Justin Walduck and I am the writer, both of text and code, behind Carpe.com.au. I have been working professionally as a web developer since 1996.

For years I have used a spreadsheet to do the family budget and that spreadsheet. That spreadsheet has grown many features over time that I have found particularly helpful and would like to share. So I am publishing my own take on an online budget management application.

I realise that there are many budgeting applications out there. Some would be intimidated by so much competition. I am encouraged that there is such a demand and I hope that I my take on it resonates with some of you out there.

The competition also gives me a chance to see how others have approached this problem and assess their solutions.  I plan to review the various sites I find on this blog. Even if you do not find my application to your liking perhaps I can point you at something more your style.

Apart from reviewing other budgeting sites I want to delve into the more general questions like:

  • What is a budget?
  • What makes an effective budget?
  • What are the traits of people who budget successfully?

I am hoping that by getting answers to these questions both from myself and visiors to this blog I can come up with ways to improve my application.

Finally there is the application itself. I want to something up and going sooner rather than later. By putting something out there and soliciting feedback from those that find it I can create a better product than toiling away on it hidden from everyone.