A budget does not need to be complicated. This free template shows, on one page, what you planned to earn and spend, what actually happened, and how much you saved. It works in Excel, Google Sheets and LibreOffice, and all the totals calculate automatically.
Download the free monthly budget template (.xlsx)
What is inside the template
| Section | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Income | Planned vs actual income from salary, side income and other sources |
| Expenses | 13 common categories, from rent and groceries to gifts and savings |
| Difference | How far each line is from plan; overspending turns red |
| Summary | Total income, total expenses, money left over and your savings rate |
| How to use | A second sheet with short instructions |
The template comes with example numbers so you can see how it works. Replace them with your own.
How to use it in 5 steps
- Download and open the file in Excel. For Google Sheets, open Google Drive and choose New → File upload, then open the file with Google Sheets.
- Type the month in cell B2.
- Fill in the Planned column (yellow cells) at the start of the month: how much you expect to earn and spend in each category.
- Update the Actual column once a week from your bank app or receipts.
- Check the Summary at the end of the month. Red numbers show where you overspent.
How to customise the categories
- Rename any category by typing over it.
- Add a category by inserting a row above the Total row, so the total still includes it. Copy the Difference formula from the row above.
- Remove a category you do not use by deleting its row.
- Start a new month by copying the sheet: right-click the Budget tab → Move or Copy → tick Create a copy.
How the formulas work
You do not need to touch the formulas, but if you are curious:
- Difference for expenses:
=B14-C14(Planned minus Actual). A negative number means you spent more than planned. - Totals:
=SUM(C14:C26)adds up a column. - Savings rate: money left over plus your savings transfer, divided by total income.
IFERRORkeeps it from showing an error when income is empty.
Want to learn these formulas properly? Read 25 Excel formulas every office worker should know.
Simple budgeting tips that work
- Pay yourself first: move money to savings at the start of the month, not with whatever is left at the end. The template has a “Savings transfer” line for this.
- Try the 50/30/20 idea as a starting point: roughly 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings. Adjust it to your situation.
- Watch the small categories: eating out and online shopping are where most budgets slip.
- Review weekly, not daily: a 10-minute check each week is enough to stay on track.
FAQ
Is the template really free?
Yes. Use it for personal or business use. Please do not resell it.
Which currency does it use?
None: amounts are plain numbers, so it works with any currency. To show a symbol, select the number cells and change the format to your currency.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes, in the Excel or Google Sheets mobile apps, though it is easiest to set up on a computer.
Next steps
- How to make a pivot table in Excel (summarise a year of spending)
- Excel conditional formatting: 10 practical examples