I talk about my Monthly Budgeting Template a lot, because truthfully, it’s one of the main things that took the stress out of my finances.
But I’ve never really walked through exactly how to use it… or how I use it.
This post will do both.
When You First Open the Template
When you get your copy, it’ll be completely blank, ready for you to make it your own.
At the bottom, you’ll see 12 tabs labeled for each month. Choose the month you’re starting with, and open it.
Customizing It for You
In the Notes section, there’s a quick guide explaining how to customize the drop-down menus.
I’ve included my own category options as a blueprint, but you can swap them for whatever makes sense in your life. This is how you make the template yours.
Once you’ve set up your categories, you’re ready to add:
- Income
- Fixed expenses
- Debt
- Savings
How I Personally Fill Mine Out
I don’t always add the expected amount for income or fixed expenses, but I always add the dates.
Knowing exactly when money comes in or goes out makes me feel organized and helps me avoid surprises.
Also notice how the month started with "Rollover". More on that later further down.
Setting Your Budget
Once you’ve entered your “big four” (income, fixed expenses, debt, and savings), you’ll see a large number at the top labeled Remaining to Budget.
That’s how much money you have to divide into your Variable Expenses, things like groceries, gas, personal spending, or anything else unique to you.
Tracking Your Spending
This is where it gets satisfying.
Every extra purchase you add to the Expense Tracker will automatically connect to your Variable Expenses section.
You’ll instantly see:
- How much you’ve spent in each category
- How much is left in your budget
- And a visual graph showing your budget vs. actual spending vs. what’s left over
I’ll include a screenshot of one of my months so you can see what this looks like in real life.
My Favorite Personal Touch
Going back to earlier, before I do anything else, I like to add the exact number in my bank account as a “Rollover” amount.
That way, my budgeting sheet always matches my real bank balance if everything is up to date.
This makes it easy to spot mistakes or purchases I forgot to log.
Using the Notes Section After Setup
Once you’ve customized your drop-downs, you can delete the guide in the Notes section and start using it for actual notes, reminders, or explanations.
The setup guide is still included in every other month’s tab, so you’ll never lose it if you need it again.
Final Thoughts
My Monthly Budgeting Template is mostly self-explanatory, but I wanted to share exactly how I use it in case it helps you get started faster.
It’s not just a spreadsheet, it’s a way to see your money clearly, so you can make decisions with less stress and more confidence.
If you’re ready to take control of your finances in a way that feels simple and sustainable, this is the tool that helped me go from feeling scattered to fully in control.