# Budgeting & Money Worksheet

Welcome! This printable worksheet is designed to help you gain clarity on your finances, set realistic goals, and create a budget that works for you. Grab a pen, print it out, and take your time with each section. The more honestly you answer, the more useful the results will be.

---

## 1. Financial Snapshot – Where You Are Now  

### A. Income  
| Source | Amount (monthly) | Notes |
|--------|------------------|-------|
| Primary job | $______ |  |
| Side hustle / freelance | $______ |  |
| Investment income | $______ |  |
| Other (e.g., alimony, gifts) | $______ |  |
| **Total Income** | **$______** |  |

### B. Fixed Expenses (same each month)  
| Expense | Amount (monthly) | Due date | Notes |
|---------|------------------|----------|-------|
| Rent / Mortgage | $______ | ____ |  |
| Utilities (electric, water, gas) | $______ | ____ |  |
| Internet / Phone | $______ | ____ |  |
| Insurance (health, auto, home) | $______ | ____ |  |
| Loan payments | $______ | ____ |  |
| Subscriptions (streaming, gym) | $______ | ____ |  |
| **Total Fixed** | **$______** |  |  |

### C. Variable Expenses (fluctuate)  
| Expense | Avg. Amount (monthly) | Typical range | Notes |
|---------|-----------------------|---------------|-------|
| Groceries | $______ | $______ – $______ |  |
| Transportation (fuel, rideshare) | $______ | $______ – $______ |  |
| Dining out | $______ | $______ – $______ |  |
| Entertainment | $______ | $______ – $______ |  |
| Personal care (clothes, hair) | $______ | $______ – $______ |  |
| Miscellaneous | $______ | $______ – $______ |  |
| **Total Variable** | **$______** |  |  |

> **Reflect:** What surprised you about your current cash flow? Where do you think you could tighten or expand spending?

---

## 2. Goal Setting – What Do You Want to Achieve?  

| Goal | Timeframe | Target Amount | Why it matters to you |
|------|-----------|---------------|-----------------------|
| 1. Emergency fund | ____ months | $______ | ____________________ |
| 2. Pay off credit card debt | ____ months | $______ | ____________________ |
| 3. Save for vacation | ____ months | $______ | ____________________ |
| 4. Down‑payment for a house | ____ months | $______ | ____________________ |
| 5. Other (specify) | ____ months | $______ | ____________________ |

> **Prompt:** Rank these goals in order of importance (1 = most important). Write the ranking next to each goal: **_____**.

---

## 3. Build Your Monthly Budget  

1. **Start with Income** – Write your total net (take‑home) income: **$______**  
2. **Allocate Fixed Expenses** – Subtract total fixed from income. Write the remainder: **$______**  
3. **Plan Variable Spending** – Decide how much you’ll allow for each variable category. Use the “Planned” column below.

| Category | Planned Amount | Actual Amount (track each month) | Difference (Planned‑Actual) |
|----------|----------------|----------------------------------|-----------------------------|
| Groceries | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Transportation | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Dining out | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Entertainment | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Personal care | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Miscellaneous | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| **Total Variable Planned** | **$______** | **$______** | **$______** |

4. **Savings & Debt Payments** – After fixed + variable, allocate the rest:  

- Savings (emergency fund, goals) – $______  
- Debt repayment – $______  

> **Check:** Does the total of Fixed + Variable + Savings + Debt equal your net income? If not, adjust variable amounts until it balances.

---

## 4. Tracking & Review (Repeat Monthly)

| Month | Income | Fixed | Variable Planned | Variable Actual | Savings | Debt Paid | Balance (leftover) |
|-------|--------|-------|------------------|-----------------|--------|----------|--------------------|
| Jan | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Feb | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Mar | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| Apr | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ | $______ |
| … | … | … | … | … | … | … | … |

> **Monthly Reflection Prompt:**  
- What categories went over budget and why?  
- Which habits helped you stay on track?  
- One small change you’ll make next month: _______________________________

---

## 5. Emergency Fund Calculator  

1. List essential monthly expenses (fixed + essential variable): **$______**  
2. Multiply by desired months of coverage (3‑6 months is typical):  

`$______ × ____ months = $______`  

> **Action:** Set a weekly savings goal to reach this amount. Example: If you need $3,600 and have 12 weeks, save **$300 per week**.

---

## 6. Debt‑Free Roadmap (if applicable)

| Debt | Balance | Interest Rate | Minimum Payment | Target Pay‑off Date | Extra Payment | New Balance After Extra |
|------|---------|---------------|-----------------|---------------------|---------------|--------------------------|
| Credit Card A | $______ | ___% | $______ | ____/____ | $______ | $______ |
| Student Loan B | $______ | ___% | $______ | ____/____ | $______ | $______ |
| Car Loan C | $______ | ___% | $______ | ____/____ | $______ | $______ |
| **Total** | $______ |  | $______ |  | $______ | $______ |

> **Strategy Prompt:** Which debt has the highest interest? Consider paying extra on that one first (avalanche method) or the smallest balance first (snowball method). Write your chosen method: **________________**.

---

## 7. Celebrate & Adjust  

- **Milestone Reward:** When you hit a savings or debt‑payoff goal, plan a low‑cost reward (e.g., a favorite meal, a movie night). Write it here: _______________________  
- **Adjustment Log:** If life changes (raise, new expense), note the change and how you’ll adapt your budget.  

| Date | Change | Impact on Budget | New Plan |
|------|--------|------------------|----------|
| ____/____ | __________________ | __________________ | __________________ |

---

## How to use this worksheet  

1. **Print & Fill Out** – Print a fresh copy each month or keep a master copy and add new pages for tracking.  
2. **Be Honest** – Accurate numbers give you real insight; don’t underestimate expenses.  
3. **Set a Weekly Review** – Spend 15‑20 minutes each week updating the “Actual” columns and noting any surprises.  
4. **Adjust as Needed** – Life isn’t static. Use the “Adjustment Log” to keep your budget flexible.  
5. **Stay Motivated** – Celebrate each milestone, no matter how small. The progress you see on paper fuels continued action.  

You now have a complete, actionable roadmap for taking control of your money. Good luck, and enjoy the journey to financial confidence!