We asked ourselves, “How much money did we want and need for our future?” When we set up our budget it was the perfect time to talk about our long-term financial goals. We attempted to choose realistic and reasonable amounts for each category. Then we broke each major category into subcategories: How to create a monthly budgetīasically, we looked at our monthly income and broke it down into 3 major categories: Think of it this way: a few jabs or punches month by month is far better than the inevitable financial knock-out after months of neglect. Third, we also maintain transparency through weekly or monthly financial meetings where we discuss exactly where all the money went.įacing your finances is incredibly brave, and it is not always easy. Debt, bills, savings-all of this was covered in detail with complete honesty. Second, we gave full disclosure of our current financial situation. Since both of us regularly access our financial accounts, we are less likely to deviate from the monthly budget or fall into the treacherous troubled waters of financial infidelity (i.e. With the added dimension of accountability, we both have the ability to check bank accounts and credit card balances at any given time. It’s free and simple to use.įor us, sharing our passwords creates a sense of accountability. In order to create transparency, we first shared all of our usernames and passwords and stored them securely using a program called Last Pass. How to use the excel monthly budget template (FREE to download at the end of this post!)įirst, take the time to create financial transparency!Ĭreating financial transparency in a marriage can eliminate serious fights over money.įor us, it’s basically eliminated 95% of fights about money.In the month before we were married, we created a monthly budget and an excel spreadsheet to track everything from month to month (which is available as a FREE download at the end of this post!). ![]() Since money is one of the top sources of marital discord, it was incredibly important to us to get started on the right path. Our pastor asked all the tough questions, and we jumped straight into the nitty-gritty, answering his questions with all the honesty we could muster. When my husband and I did pre-marital counseling there was a whole session talking about finances and budgeting. Feel free to download and use so your family can create a successful monthly budget too. If you prefer a digital copy, you can fill in the form fields on a computer.If you need help knowing how to create a monthly budget, my friend Lauren is guest posting today about her successful monthly budget, how she created it, and even included a free excel monthly budget template for an entire year. If you prefer to keep track of your budget with pen and paper, simply print the PDF and fill in the details. The download file includes a PDF template that can be printed on one sheet of paper. I have created a simple budget template that can be downloaded for free (enter your email address below to get it). In this section, you’ll find the best options for printable budget templates. See my list of budget categories and recommended budget percentages if you need any additional help setting up your budget. Regardless of your preferences, these free resources can help you to organize your financial life. And lastly, I’ll point out two free apps that can help with creating and managing your budget. Next, you’ll find budget spreadsheet templates that you can use to keep track of your finances on a computer. ![]() First, you’ll find some printable templates that are great if you prefer using a pen and paper, or even creating a binder. The resources are broken up into a few different categories. Today, I’d like to point you towards some free resources that can make the process even easier.īelow you’ll find a collection of the best budget templates and spreadsheets that make it so much easier for you to create your own personal or family budget, and to keep track of it. I have an article, How to Create a Budget that Works, that walks you through the process of setting up your own budget. The idea of creating and living by a budget may seem intimidating if you haven’t done it before, but it really doesn’t have to be that complicated. If you want to be in control of your money and make the most of what you have, maintaining a monthly budget is critical.
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