Best way to make a budget spreadsheet how to#

Note: You’re working with net income here, meaning what you bring in after taxes or anything else that’s taken out of your paycheck. You work weekends as a barista or bagpiper for hire? That’s income and it goes in your budget.Ĭreate separate income budget lines for every paycheck you (and your spouse) make, plus anything extra coming in. Income is any money you plan to get during that month-that means your normal paychecks and any extra money coming your way through a side hustle, garage sale, freelance work or anything like that. That will give you the info you need as you start filling out numbers on your budget. Pro Tip: Before you dive into the steps, open up your online bank account or grab your bank statements. Just saying.) Either way, it’s totally okay to start by writing out everything on a sheet of paper. (We know a great tool called EveryDollar. No matter how you feel about budgeting right now, no matter what money goals you have, and no matter your income-you can make (and keep!) a budget in just five steps.įirst, decide if you’re making a budget on paper, with a spreadsheet or in an app.

Best way to make a budget spreadsheet how to#

Keep reading to see how to make it happen so you can make a budget that works for you.

When you learn how to make a budget-and do it every month-you’re giving your money purpose. It’s a plan for what’s coming in and what’s going out. It’s not a restriction on spending-it’s a plan for what you’ll do with your money. Real quick though, let’s define the word budget.

Make a New Budget Before the Month Begins.

Here’s how to make a budget in five steps. So, here we go-bite by bite, step by step. (You go one bite at a time.) And no one leaps into budgeting like a pro. Because no one eats an elephant by swallowing it whole. Making a budget might seem overwhelming at first, but hear this: You can do it.