Free Monthly Budget Template
A clean, simple budget that works on any income. Fill in the numbers, find where your money is going, and start keeping more of it.
No email required. No app to download. Just a straightforward monthly budget you can use right now. Print it, copy it to a spreadsheet, or fill it in on screen.
Monthly Budget
| Source | Budgeted | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary job (take-home) | $ | $ | $ |
| Side hustle / freelance | $ | $ | $ |
| Other income | $ | $ | $ |
| Total Income | $ | $ | $ |
| Category | Budgeted | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent / Mortgage | $ | $ | $ |
| Car payment | $ | $ | $ |
| Car insurance | $ | $ | $ |
| Health insurance | $ | $ | $ |
| Internet / phone | $ | $ | $ |
| Subscriptions | $ | $ | $ |
| Student loans | $ | $ | $ |
| Other fixed | $ | $ | $ |
| Total Fixed | $ | $ | $ |
| Category | Budgeted | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | $ | $ | $ |
| Gas / transportation | $ | $ | $ |
| Utilities (electric, water, gas) | $ | $ | $ |
| Dining out / takeout | $ | $ | $ |
| Entertainment | $ | $ | $ |
| Clothing | $ | $ | $ |
| Personal care | $ | $ | $ |
| Medical / copays | $ | $ | $ |
| Household / home | $ | $ | $ |
| Kids / pet expenses | $ | $ | $ |
| Miscellaneous | $ | $ | $ |
| Total Variable | $ | $ | $ |
| Category | Budgeted | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emergency fund | $ | $ | $ |
| Retirement (401k / IRA) | $ | $ | $ |
| Extra debt payment | $ | $ | $ |
| Sinking funds / goals | $ | $ | $ |
| Total Savings | $ | $ | $ |
Zero-based budgeting tip: Give every dollar a job until your Remaining balance equals $0. If you have money left over, send it to savings or extra debt payments — don't let it disappear.
How to use this budget
Step 1 — Fill in your income first. Use your take-home (after-tax) pay, not your gross salary. If your income varies, use your lowest expected month.
Step 2 — List your fixed expenses. These are the same every month — rent, car payment, subscriptions. Write what you plan to spend in "Budgeted," then fill in "Actual" at the end of the month.
Step 3 — Estimate variable expenses. Look at last month's bank statement for a realistic starting point. Most people underestimate groceries and dining by 30–40%.
Step 4 — Budget savings like a bill. Put savings and debt payoff before discretionary spending, not after. Pay yourself first.
Step 5 — Get to zero. Total income minus all expenses and savings should equal $0. Every dollar should have a job assigned before the month starts.