
your budget subtracts how much you’ve spent from how much you’ve budgeted or put into the different budgeting fields.


There are two fields for your actual spend: one that compares your spending to your budget and one that compares your actual spending to your overall income. If you’re over budget, look for ways to save money and spend less. The “Actual Spend” boxes will be green if you’re under budget or red if you’re over budget. Once you’ve entered all the values, the template will tell you how much you have left at the end of the month. What if you don’t really know how much you spend? No worries, just use your transaction history and bank statements to make your best guess for any expenses you’re not sure about.
Downloadable excel budget planner how to#
How to create your personal monthly budget template Now that you know how a 50/30/20 budget works, the next step is to personalize the budget template. This can be a helpful perspective if you’ve ever found budgeting to be too restrictive. By breaking your total income down into categories, you’re telling yourself how much you can spend in each category - not focusing on what you shouldn’t spend. You can think of your budget as a spending plan. This includes putting money into your emergency fund, investing in retirement accounts, and saving for big financial goals - like the down payment on a car or house. This includes the things you do for fun, such as going to concerts or dining out, and other things that are important to you, like updating your seasonal wardrobe or donating to charity. This includes household expenses that may fluctuate (think: groceries and utilities) as well as fixed costs, like insurance premiums or car payments, and other non-negotiables. Then, it gives a different percentage of your income to each of these expense categories. This is a widely used strategy that’s easy to apply and remember.īasically, it helps you set priorities in your budget and categorize expenses by breaking your spending into three types: needs, wants, and savings. This template follows the 50/30/20 budgeting method. Loan Payoff Calculator: How Quickly Can You Repay Your Loan?.Auto Loan Interest Calculator: Monthly Payment & Total Cost.How To Pay Medical Bills You Can’t Afford.Best Car Insurance For College Students.Should You Get Home Contents Insurance?.How Much Should You Contribute To Your 401(k)?.How Much Do You Need To Have Saved For Retirement?.The Beginner’s Guide To Saving For Retirement.Investment Calculator: How Much Will You Earn?.How To File A FAFSA As An Independent Student.Best Companies For Student Loan Refinancing in 2023.Best Personal Loans For Excellent Credit.Understanding Overdraft Protection and Fees.Balance Transfer Calculator: How much can you save?.


Monitor all of your home or business expenses accurately and decide what areas of your budget can be better managed. Simplify your monthly or weekly budgeting by using a free, customizable budget template. Reaching your financial goals takes careful planning and saving-using the right tools is the first step to budgeting effectively.
