How to Keep a Traveling Log for Work

Travel logs for work are necessary for employers to reimburse employees for their time working outside the office. Travel expenses differ depending on what is necessary for your specific job and job location. However, there are some basic expenses that most--if not all--employers expect their employees to keep track of. While this task may seem daunting, it's very easy to keep track of all your expenses with a basic traveling logbook.

Instructions

1




Hard-shell binders keep papers safe from tears and stains.

Place three to five mileage log sheets with nine vertical columns in the three-ring binder. This keeps all of your information in one place.

2

Label each sheet with your name, the dates you are traveling and the purpose of the trip. This can be as detailed or as general as you need it to be depending on your employer's wishes.

3

Label the first column beginning on the left-hand side of the page with the date. Keeping track of dates helps match dated receipts for accuracy.

4

Designate the second, third and forth column for transportation expenses. These columns keep track of each trip from origin to destination as well as how much you spend on fuel to make the trip.

5

Label the fifth column for lodging expenses that should correspond to the dates of your trip listed in the first block of the first column.

6

Designate the last four columns for meal expenses. Having one column for each meal--breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks--makes it visually easy to keep track of all food expenses.

7

Determine if you want each sheet to keep track of one day's worth of travel, one week's worth of travel or one month's worth of travel.

8

Select one corner to write a brief summary of the report that includes a grand total of all your expenses and the total of each section of expenses (transportation, lodging and meals) when you close out each page.

9

Place all receipts incurred during your travels in the envelope. Place the envelope in the back of the binder. This allows you to check dates and amounts for accuracy when totaling your expenses.