If it doesn’t, no worries…that just means you have work to do. Once you plug those numbers into any of these free printable budgeting worksheets, your budget template should zero out at the bottom. Most free printable budget templates include a place to write your income, the name of your expense organized into different budget categories, the amount you’ve budgeted, and the actual amount you’ve spent. You will need to know your income and where your money is going each month so these items will help you with that. Well, you print it out and gather all of your pay stubs, bank statements, credit card statements, and monthly bills. So, how do you use a printable budget template? When I started treating my finances more seriously with these types of budget worksheets, things started to turn around financially and we were able to achieve specific goals with ease! I started out by using the back of an envelope and then started using a printable budget sheet simply because they were nice to look at and it helped me develop a clear and more concise budgeting method that worked for us. Thankfully, a simple and very basic printable monthly budget sheet is not hard to use. How Do You Use a Printable Budget Template? You can use digital budget templates and printable budget templates as long as both are helping you get a better grasp of your financial situation. I’ve gathered up some of the best budget templates I can find for you to get started with the budgeting process, but before we take a look, let’s talk briefly about what exactly are budget templates anyway.īudget templates are simple printable monthly budget sheets that help you compare your income and expenses.Ī good budget template should provide a format that allows the user to easily categorize expenses and income - but also help you determine whether you’re making enough money or whether you’re spending too much money. You can do that by creating a simple budget that’s easy to follow using one of these printable monthly budget sheets.Īnd just in case you have you’re preferences, there are plenty to choose from. Using a budget template is one of the easiest ways to track your monthly income and monthly expenses, especially if you’re living paycheck to paycheck.īecause I’ve been there and I started with a little ole beginner printable budget worksheet to dig myself out of the trenches and onto a more stable financial situation.Īll you need to do to create a personal budget is start looking at the amount of money you’re bringing in on a monthly basis and make sure that your monthly expenses never exceed your total income. Money Dials could include things like fitness, convenience, luxury items, travel, self-improvement , and social status.If you’re looking for the best free printable budget templates to tame your spending habits and reach your financial goals, you’re in the right place. By honing in on your Money Dials-the things you really love to spend on-you can prioritize your spending in a way that makes sense for you. Following this logic, you categorize your expenses into essential fixed costs, important investments, savings goals, and-last but not least-guilt-free spending.īy allocating space in your budget for the fun stuff (minus the guilt), you’re more likely to stick to that budget in the first place. Instead, consider trying a conscious spending plan. The truth is that living a life of constantly telling yourself “no” isn’t sustainable (or enjoyable). Many people assume that effective money management means scrounging, saving, and never enjoying life. You might also have smaller, more short-term goals, like saving for your dream wedding or buying a luxury car. Smart money management can help you achieve those objectives. You likely have some financial goals in your life, whether it’s improving your net worth, paying off your college student loans, or achieving FIRE (financial independence, retire early). But without planning for expenses, a big income can lead to big debt. But it doesn’t have to be! I spoke with a couple in episode 114 of my podcast who overspent on holidays because their earnings combined were a lot.
The entire point of these tools is to simplify money management so you can think about your money less, not more.įor many people, budgeting and planning for big expenses like vacations are a struggle. Simplified spreadsheets help develop your plan, and budgeting apps, like those that automate expense tracking, help you stick to it. Finally, you need to stick to your plan.īudgeting spreadsheets and tools are great resources for creating a conscious spending plan.
You then need to decide how much money to allocate to each bucket. You need to start with a bullet-proof budget, categorizing all of your expenses into one of these four buckets: fixed costs, investments, savings, and guilt-free spending. Conscious spending is a great way to enjoy life while still building a financially secure future.