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Monthly Budget Starter

Framework Plan vs actual budgeting

Built on the plan vs actual budgeting method, ready to use in Google Sheets & Excel, and made to fit you. A free, simple monthly budget: plan your month, log what you spend and see exactly what's left in about 10 minutes.

Get it free

Ready to use: filled-in example, blank file and step-by-step guide
Proven framework: plan vs actual budgeting
Made to fit you: 10 colour themes, 10 currencies, rename any category
Works in Google Sheets & Excel (Mac & PC)
Instant download: just enter your email
Secure checkout by Payhip
Friendly email help: greenluvstudio@gmail.com

What's included (4 files)

Monthly_Budget_Starter_BLANK.xlsx: ready for your own numbers
Monthly_Budget_Starter_EXAMPLE.xlsx: two months of a fictional budget
Monthly_Budget_Starter_Guide.pdf: 10-page step-by-step guide
READ_ME_FIRST.pdf: start in 3 minutes

What it does

Monthly budget

Your income and a planned amount for up to 25 categories, grouped into Bills, Everyday, Savings and Debt.

Plan vs actual

Every category shows what you spent, what's left and how much of the plan you've used. Over plan shows in soft red.

Totals at a glance

Income, spent, saved + debt paid and what's left, with totals by group and a donut chart.

Spending log

Log income and spending in seconds with category dropdowns. 300 rows ready.

Any month, any year

Pick a month and year at the top to look back. Your plan stays the same.

Your currency

$, £, €, A$, C$, NZ$, ¥, ₹, R or kr in every money header.

As easy as 1, 2, 3

Plan your month

Income, then a planned amount for each category.

Log what you spend

One row per payment, pick the category from the dropdown.

See what's left

Totals, categories and the chart update by themselves.

watch it in action

See it in under a minute

A short silent walkthrough: set up, plan, log and check what's left.

Plan your month: Income, then a planned amount for each category.
Log what you spend: One row per payment, pick the category from the dropdown.
See what's left: Totals, categories and the chart update by themselves.
Make it yours: switch colour theme and currency on Start Here.

Free starter or full planner?

Feature	Free Starter	Monthly & Paycheck Planner
Monthly budget + plan vs actual	✓	✓
Categories	25	50
Rows for spending	300	800
Paycheck plan (which bills each paycheck covers)	–	✓
Full dashboard with 2 charts	Donut chart	✓
12-month year overview	–	✓
10 colour themes · 10 currencies	✓	✓

See the full planner

Details

Compatibility

Google Sheets (free with a Google account): upload the BLANK file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets.
Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer, Microsoft 365 and Excel for Mac.
No macros, add-ins or subscription.

Delivery

Enter your email and you get the download link on screen and by email. Save the files on a computer for the smoothest start.
This is a digital download. Nothing is shipped.

Good to know

When Excel opens the file for the first time, click Enable Editing.
A personal budgeting planner, not accounting, tax or financial advice.
Names and numbers in the example file are fictional.
Designed by me; AI-assisted tools were used during production, and every formula was tested before release.
For personal use. Please don't share or resell the files.

Questions, answered

I'm not a spreadsheet person. Is it hard?

No. You only type in the highlighted cells, the formulas do the maths and the guide walks you through every tab.

What does "proven framework" mean?

Each template follows a well-known planning method, such as paycheck budgeting or plan vs actual budgeting, and the product page names it, so you know exactly which system you are using.

Can I change the colours and currency?

Yes. Pick one of 10 colour themes and your currency from dropdowns on the Start Here tab.

How do I use the coupon code?

Copy GREENLUV10 from the box above the Buy button, click Buy now and paste it into the coupon field at checkout.