Budget Planner — Google Sheets Template
One-Minute Summary
This Google Sheets budget planner lets you track income, fixed expenses, variable expenses, and savings in one sheet. Make a copy to your Drive. Update monthly. Formulas calculate totals and balance. Works on any device. This is an organizational tool — it is not financial advice.
Preview & Access
Make a Copy (Google Sheets)How to Access
- Click the button above
- Sign in to Google (free)
- The template opens in your Drive
- Edit, share, or download as needed
What’s in this template
A single-sheet budget layout. Income at top, fixed expenses, variable expenses, savings, then balance. Formulas calculate totals. Update amounts as your situation changes. Make a copy each month for history.
Key features and use cases
Category flexibility: Add or remove categories. Rename to match your life. Groceries, dining, gas — whatever you track.
Automatic math: No hand calculation. Change a number, totals update. Balance shows at a glance whether you’re on track.
Monthly comparison: Duplicate the tab, rename for each month. Scrolling back shows spending trends. Useful for refining estimates.
How to customize
Add subcategories: Under Variable, add “Groceries,” “Dining,” “Entertainment” as separate rows. More granular view.
Color-code: Highlight fixed vs. variable in different colors. Quick visual scan.
Notes column: Add a column for notes — “Higher than usual — holiday travel” or “Under — meal prepped more.”
Need a Printable Version?
Prefer pen and paper? Grab the printable PDF version — designed for U.S. Letter paper.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this really free?
Yes. Make a copy and it's yours. No signup beyond a free Google account. No watermark. No trial.
Can I use this on my phone?
Yes. Google Sheets works in the browser or app. Open, edit, view. Small screen may require scrolling — but it works.
What if my categories don't match?
Edit the template. Add rows, remove rows, rename. The structure is flexible. Make it match how you actually budget.
How do I handle variable income?
Use your lowest recent month or 3-month average as the baseline. Update the sheet when you have a final number. Or create a separate 'variable income' section and note it's estimated.
Can I share this with my partner?
Yes. Click Share. Add their email. Give Editor access. You both see and edit the same budget. Useful for couples managing money together.