These free printable budget sheets for beginners keep budgeting simple. Write down the money coming in, plan what you expect to spend in each category, then compare it with what you actually spent. A weekly expense tracker on page 2 helps you record every purchase as you go.
What’s in the Budget Sheets
| Page | Sheet | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monthly budget | Income (2 paychecks + other), 17 expense categories with Budget, Actual and Difference columns, totals and a money left over line |
| 2 | Weekly expense tracker | 20 rows for date, what you bought, category and amount, plus a weekly total |
Expense Categories on the Monthly Budget
Rent or mortgage, electricity and gas, water and trash, phone and internet, groceries, eating out, gas and transit, car payment, insurance, debt payments, savings, emergency fund, personal care, clothing, entertainment, gifts and giving, and other.
How to Make Your First Budget
- Add up your income. Write each paycheck and any other money you expect this month.
- Fill in fixed bills. Start with costs that stay the same, such as rent, phone and car payment.
- Estimate the rest. Look at last month’s bank statement to guess groceries, gas and eating out.
- Track spending. Use the weekly tracker to write down every purchase.
- Compare at month end. Fill in the Actual column. Difference = Budget minus Actual.
A Simple Rule of Thumb
Many beginners start with the 50/30/20 guideline: about 50% of take-home pay for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and paying down debt. It is a starting point, not a strict rule, so adjust the numbers to fit your own situation.
Tips for Sticking to a Budget
- Pay yourself first by filling in the savings line before spending on wants.
- Keep receipts in one place and add them to the tracker once a day.
- Review your budget each week, not just at the end of the month.
- Start a new budget sheet every month and see how your numbers change.
Print at 100% on US Letter paper. Free for personal use.
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