Print out this free budget spreadsheet to track your expenses
Sometimes, budgeting can get complicated. All the different categories can wear you down as you try to fill them in perfectly. This is where a simple spreadsheet can come in. Even tracking spending imperfectly can help you gain a better understanding of where your money is going. In this post, we have three downloadable and printable spreadsheets for you to start to track your finances.
Printable budget spreadsheet (50/30/20)
A useful system for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule, which dedicates 50% of total income to “needs”, 30% to “wants”, and 20% to “savings”. Within this system, you can adapt spending within the different categories, as long as the overall spending does not rise above the designated percentage.
To download the above spreadsheet as a PDF, click here.
Simple budget spreadsheet and expense tracker
If you want even more budget forms, take a look at these. These can give you more complex insight into your spending, like how much is spent on each day of the month. This can sometimes help determine patterns, like you regularly spend way too much on a Friday night (you know who you are!)
To download the above worksheet as a PDF, click here.
Free budget worksheet
If neither of the previous spreadsheets did it for your expense tracking. Here’s another one that will allow you to follow your budget in a simple way. With just five columns detailing out your expense items, the amounts, and a column for notes; this budget spreadsheet is pretty straightforward and perfect for someone not looking for a worksheet that’s too complicated.
To download the above worksheet as a PDF, click here.
Tips on how best to use a budget spreadsheets
If you need more tips for budgeting, check out these 100 tips for budgeting in 2020! Some of their suggestions are:
- Use a prescription saving service like GoodRX or SingleCare. These services can help you figure out ways to lower your medication costs – sometimes paying outside of insurance is cheaper!
- Pre-write out your grocery list. If you can, try to focus on store-brand items – they’re often just as good and at a fraction of the price.
- Take out your budgeted amount for a store trip in cash – you’re much more likely to overspend if you can pull out a card for any amount.
Elizabeth Hampson is a freelance artist, graphic designer, and copywriter living in Edinburgh. Elizabeth received her Masters Degree at University of Edinburgh, She decided to stay in the Edinburgh, where she lives with her cat.
Elizabeth enjoys trying out new techniques and media in design and has enjoyed working with PrinterFriend.ly. Her media of choice is papercutting art, and quarantine forced her hand into starting a business selling her pieces. Check out Elizabeth’s full author bio profile here.