Discover 11 Effective Budgeting Tools to Master Your Financial Universe

BUDGETING
The Simplified Guide to Streamlining Your Finances with Budget Templates and Apps
By Marc Andre
Updated September 23, 2023

Keeping a monthly budget is key if you want to take solid control of your money. Developing your own budget might seem daunting if you’re new to it, but it’s simpler than it sounds.

If you need a step-by-step guide, read my article, “How to Create a Budget that Works”. But let’s dive into the free resources that can make the budgeting process even smoother.

Here are some of the best budget templates and spreadsheets that make it easy to make and follow a personal or family budget.

First, there’re printable templates which are best for you if you enjoy using good old pen and paper, or creating a binder. Then, there are budget spreadsheet templates for managing your finances on your computer. Finally, I’ll show you two free apps for creating and managing your budget.

No matter your preference, these free resources can help you to organize your financial world. If you need extra help setting up your budget, check out my list of budget categories and recommended budget percentages.

Top Printable Budget Templates:

1. VitalDollar.com’s Budget Template: This is a simple, printable free budget template.

2. Blooming Homestead’s Budget Binder: This includes weekly and monthly ledgers, as well as a savings ledger and a month-at-a-glance sheet.

3. Clean and Scentsible’s Budget Printable: This 3-page document lets you input your monthly income and all expenses. It’s clean and colorful.

4. Printable Crush’s Monthly Budget Printable: This cheerful, free template traces monthly budget and expenses, debt, and balances.

5. Calizfornia’s Monthly Budget Sheet: Perfect for those who want a single-page budget printable in Google Docs format.

6. Freebie Finding Mom’s Budget Printables and Spreadsheets: Sign up for this email list and access 8 different budget templates, catering to different needs like personal, household, family, and even wedding budgets.

The Best Budget Spreadsheets:

7. Google Docs’ Budget Spreadsheet: Google Docs has budget spreadsheets that you can customize to your needs.

8. Budgets Are Sexy’s Spreadsheet: This one goes deeper into your finances, helping you manage different paychecks, savings, credit card balances, and tracking net worth.

9. Vertex42’s Budget Template: It provides a detailed personal budget template that lets you manage a whole year’s budget in one file.

Fantastic Free Budgeting Apps:

10. Mint: Likely the most popular free budgeting app, Mint offers personalized budget creation, expense tracking, and alert service.

11. Empower: My personal favorite, Empower is perfect if you’re looking for tools related to net worth tracking and investment reports. If you just want a budgeting app, Mint would be a better fit.

Now that we’ve got you covered with lots of options, select one that suits you best and set up your budget.