Free Printable Monthly Budget Template

One page, six categories, no spreadsheet software required

A simple monthly budget template with six broad categories — enough to catch the big problems without being so detailed that it gets abandoned after week two. Fill it in on screen, or print it and fill it in by hand.

How to use this

1. Fill in "Budgeted" at the start of the month with what you plan to spend in each category.
2. Fill in "Actual" at the end of the month with what you really spent.
3. Compare the two columns — a category that's consistently off is worth adjusting next month, not judging this month.

If six categories feels too broad once you've used this for a month or two, or you'd rather not fill it in by hand every time, see our guide on budgeting apps and which type might fit better. And for the thinking behind why fewer, broader categories tend to actually stick, see building a budget that survives real life.