Wanting to create a spending plan? Here is a monthly budget spreadsheet you can stick with to achieve your financial goals and live without worrying.
Do you feel like budgeting is something you think about when you’re in crisis mode? Hammering on how you can make more to meet financial goals and enjoy what you work hard for. Admittedly, this was me too.
The tricky part you might relate to is the more I stressed about money, the more I would spend.
I was fortunate my spending never found me in a really difficult situation like missing important payments, but it left me feeling really defeated. I worked to pay bills essentially.
Have you been here before? Maybe you’re there now. If so, I’ve created a monthly budget spreadsheet you can easily stick to. Nothing complicated – just ownership and commitment to enjoying what you work hard for.
Are you ready to start a personal budget template?
I’ve got you covered! Start by downloading this Monthly Budget Spreadsheet.
I have included a guide for how to use this personal budget template, a sample, and a template for you to customize.
Why create a Monthly Budget Spreadsheet
I look at a personal monthly budget as the foundation for a happy life. No joke!
If you plan and review your monthly budget you will be able to afford the things that make you happy. Whether that is planning for a trip or feeling less stressed around the holidays, maintaining a monthly budget spreadsheet allows for that.
When thinking of your personal spending, think about everything from your morning coffee if you buy one to trips to the salon. One way to avoid the painstaking part of budget is to really consider what you love. If you really love that morning coffee, don’t cut it out but consider what you might be spending on that doesn’t bring you joy.
If a monthly haul of clothing isn’t something you can afford, add saving for a clothing haul to your savings. Budgeting isn’t about being restrictive, it’s about finding space for what you love in your life. It’s creating a spending plan that allows you to enjoy what you work hard for.
How do I create a Monthly Budget Spreadsheet?
Here’s what I hope I can take off your plate. I have created the monthly budget spreadsheet for you!
I used Google Sheets so you can have your budget with you wherever you go – including on your phone if you download the Google Sheets app. You can also download it and use it in excel or print a copy.
What do you need to create a monthly budget spreadsheet? A few things:
- A list of your monthly sources of income: A pay cheque from a job? Is it a bi-weekly pay cheque? Income from a side hustle? Government benefits like the Child Tax Credit in Ontario?
- A list of expenses you are committed to each month: Utility bills you pay monthly like cable or car insurance. An amount you intend to save each month? Savings for holidays like Christmas?
- An idea of what you are saving for: Clothing? Trips? A new car?
In the Monthly Budget Spreadsheet, I have created columns for you with each of these items so all you’ll need to do is brainstorm a list for each.
What should be Included in a Monthly Budget Spreadsheet?
For your monthly budget spreadsheet to be effectively, you need to be transparent and committed. Your budget should include all income and all expenses, as well as an itemized list of your spending.
I have created columns for you to itemize your personal, household, and car related expenses. You will determine how much money each month you can allot to this spending bucket.
For this monthly budget spreadsheet to work you need to be diligent with tracking your spending. If you’ve allotted $400 per month to personal spending and you commit to tracking, you might come to realize you’ve been spending more each month than you knew. The beauty of using a personal budget template is you can make changes to keep yourself on track.
When it comes to household and car expenses, I would suggest making your monthly budget spreadsheet more predictable that you add any known expenses to the Commitment column. I include my car insurance, car payments, utility bills, and childcare under commitments because those expenses are recurring. In the household allotment I would put things like groceries and expenses like filling up my gas tank in the car allotment.
Does this seem confusing? Don’t worry, I’ve given you a guide for How to Use this Monthly Spreadsheet. I’ve also added comments to the Sample spreadsheet so you can follow along. You can use the template to fill in your own information and you’re off.
Do you need a spending plan for each month?
No, you could reset your spreadsheet every month. Personally, I like to keep a new spreadsheet for each month to look back on expenses and predict what I need to save for next year. Think about if you ever got blindsided by needing to buy a birthday gift. That’s hard on your monthly budget. If you know each and every April, you’ll need to buy a gift, you can better prepare your finances.
Other features of the Monthly Budget Spreadsheet
I wanted to create a personal budget template that was easy to use and would provide you with a great picture of your finances to help you reach your goals.
This spreadsheet can be used online through Google Sheets or you can download to excel and print a copy if you’re more a pen and paper girl.
In the spreadsheet I have included:
- A guide for how to use it
- A sample you can refer to
- A template for you to build your budget
- An overview of your total income
- An overview of your total expenses, including monthly commitments
- A space to monitor your savings for long term goals
- A space to keep track of all your bills, including when they are due and the amount
- A space to itemize your total spending, including personal, household, and car expenses
- A total of your monthly spending
- A total of any free funds you have
Some of the columns like the Savings and the Bill Tracker don’t add into your total spending so no need to worry about double counting. Use this space to keep yourself on track and organized. Having all the information about your finances in one spot will help make budgeting easier and make predictable.
Ready to start? Download my Monthly Budget Spreadsheet and get going!!
