For a free Excel money management template, start with Microsoft’s budget templates and choose a personal budget or another finance sheet that fits your needs. Enter your income and expenses, then use the spreadsheet to compare planned costs with actual spending. Microsoft’s catalog also lists templates for cash flow, savings, expenses, and loan planning.
Choose a template for the way you manage money
A household budget helps you compare income with spending and plan for near- and long-term goals. Pick a spreadsheet based on what you need to track rather than assuming every template has the same features.
| Template type | Useful when you want to |
|---|---|
| Personal budget | Compare income and expenses and see the difference. |
| Cash-flow template | Organize money coming in and going out over a chosen period. |
| Expense or savings template | Track spending or monitor progress toward a savings goal. |
| Loan-planning template | Organize information related to a loan plan. |
These are task-based distinctions from Microsoft’s finance and budget template catalog, not a feature-by-feature performance comparison. Check the actual template for places to enter income, expense categories, savings goals, planned amounts, and actual spending. Microsoft’s planner guidance allows for tracking weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, depending on the workflow you prefer: Create a budget in Excel.
Download and set up your spreadsheet
- Open Microsoft’s finance templates. Visit the budget and finance template catalog and select a personal budget or another relevant template. Microsoft’s instructions describe selecting, editing, then saving, printing, or sharing; the exact screens can vary.
- Save a working copy. Keep a copy for ongoing updates. The catalog also describes options to print or share a template, including as a PDF.
- Replace sample labels and values. Enter your own income, expenses, and savings goals rather than relying on example data.
- Review the categories before tracking. Start with the costs that apply to you, then adjust the names and groupings to make the sheet useful.
Organize income and expenses for a useful review
Microsoft distinguishes fixed expenses, such as rent or mortgage, insurance, car payments, and property taxes, from variable costs such as dining out and clothing. Utilities, transportation, and subscriptions can also be useful categories if they apply to your household. Its household budget guidance recommends accounting for recurring monthly bills as well as variable expenses and subscriptions.
#1 Best Overall
- Effective Budget Plan Book – Take control of your finances with the SUNEE budget account book. This all-in-one budget planner allows you to plan and track your income, expenses, savings, and financial goals. Its intuitive layout and easy-to-use sections help you stay organized and make smart decisions to reach financial success. Our financial planner also included a comprehensive guidebook with valuable tips and instructions to help you get the most out of your budgeting planner.
- Full-Page Calendars – Each month’s full-page calendar provides plenty of space to track paydays, bills due dates, appointments, and important events. No more cramped boxes or tight writing areas, you can easily plan and organize your schedule at a glance.
- Colorful Pages Layout and Tabs – This vibrant budget planner features a user-friendly design for easy navigation and organization. Each month includes dedicated budget pages to set financial goals, track income, and plan expenses. Additional sections like debt trackers, savings goals, and bill payment trackers make managing your finances a breeze. The colorful backgrounds on each page offer clear, instant visibility.
- Bonus 4 Stickers and Convenient Design – This monthly budget planner is built for convenience and durability. Water-resistant cover protects against spills, while the elastic band keeps everything secure, and the dual-sided pocket offers extra storage. Plus, we’ve included 4 adorable sticker sheets to personalize your planner and make budgeting more enjoyable. Experience a budget planner that combines practicality with lasting quality.
- UNDATED DESIGN & 1 YEAR USE - Undated finance books start with 1 page-financial goals, 1 page-Mind Map, 1 page-Financial Strategy, 1 page-Tactics, 2 pages-Important Dates, 4 pages-Bill Tracker, 4 pages-Saving Tracker, 8 pages-Debt Tracker, followed by 12 Months(10 pages per month, 1 unique color for each month). 2 pages-Christmas Budgeting, 2 pages-Yearly Summary, 2 pages-Check Register and 12 pages-Notes(dotted). It is UNDATED, so you could start at any time, suitable for 1 year use.
Use the template’s planned amounts to set expectations, then enter actual spending as it happens. Comparing the two makes it easier to spot categories where costs differ from your plan and adjust future amounts. A budget sheet can calculate the difference between income and costs, but the usefulness of that result depends on entering relevant, up-to-date information.
Know what “free download” does—and does not—include
Microsoft’s catalog describes free customizable finance templates, but this does not mean that every template has identical functions or that every spreadsheet automatically imports bank transactions. The manual budget workflow is to enter and update your own figures.
Rank #2
- Effective Budget Planning - Take control of your finances with the budget account book. This comprehensive planner allows you to plan and track your income, expenses, savings, and financial goals in one convenient place. With its intuitive layout and easy-to-use sections, you can stay organized and make informed decisions to achieve financial success.
- User-Friendly Layout - The budget planner features a user-friendly layout designed for easy navigation and organization. Each month, you'll find dedicated budget pages where you can set financial goals, track your income, and plan your expenses. Additional sections include debt trackers, savings goals, bill payment trackers, and more, making it simple to stay on top of your finances.
- Undated Monthly Calendar & Bonus Stickers - Featuring undated calendar each month, you'll have ample space to mark paydays, bills due, appointments, and important dates. Say goodbye to difficult writing spaces. Plus, we've included 3 cute sticker sheets that allow you to personalize your financial organizer and make budgeting more fun. Dates are not pre-printed and are completed by the user.
- Reliable and Convenient Design - Our monthly budget planner is designed for your convenience and built to last. The elastic band keeps everything securely in place, and the dual-sided pocket provides extra storage. Experience a budget planner that combines practicality and durability.
- Master Budgeting with Ease - Our financial planner includes a complete guidebook that provides valuable insights and instructions for optimal usage. From setting financial goals to tracking expenses, this guidebook offers step-by-step guidance and practical tips. Whether you're new to budgeting or an experienced user, this resource will help you make the most of your budget planner, empowering you to achieve financial success.
Microsoft describes Money in Excel as a separate premium template for connecting financial accounts and syncing transactions. The support page says it is available in the United States and requires Microsoft 365 Personal or Family. That account-syncing product is not required to use a manual budget spreadsheet; confirm current availability with Microsoft before relying on it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Another downloadable Excel option
Vertex42’s Money Management Template is listed as a free, macro-free Excel download intended for basic budgeting and money management. The page reports an update date of August 31, 2019, so check that the download is still available and suitable for your Excel setup. The available information does not establish a feature-by-feature comparison with Microsoft’s templates.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- EFFECTIVELY MANAGE YOUR MONEY - Our budget planner helps you take control of your finances by providing sections for financial goals, savings, debts, daily expenses, monthly budget, monthly budget review. This finance planner is a good finance book and will help you manage your money effectively.
- PREMIUM QUALITY - Our budget planner is made with high-quality 100gsm paper that reduces ink leakage, fraying, and shade issues. The sturdy and flexible cover,, helps protect the pages. The metal lay-flat twin-wire binding ensures durability and longevity.
- ORGANIZED MONTHLY GOALS & BUDGETS - Our 12-month budget planner helps you set monthly goals, budgets, reviews, and develop good monetary habits, strategies, and action plans. Write down monthly financial goals, put reminders of bills and payments on the calendar, plan your monthly budget in each category, track daily expenses, and review the monthly budget at the end of the month.
- FLEXIBLE USAGE - Our undated finance planner allows you to start at any time and place, making it convenient to use. It has a perfect size of 8.6x5.9 inches and fits in every bag, so it's always at hand.
- CREATE FINANCIAL FREEDOM - Our budget planner is your chance to develop monthly habits, monetary strategies, and action plans to start your journey to long-term financial freedom. It allows you to track monetary flow and review each area for improvements. With this 1-Years budget book, you can take the first step towards financial freedom.
Rank #4
- 【Take Control Of Your Money】Easily plan your monthly budget, track income & expenses, and stay on top of your finances. This budget planner helps you clearly see where your money goes and avoid overspending.
- 【Designed For Real Life Use】Perfect for young professionals, families, students, and anyone working toward financial goals. Whether managing daily expenses or planning long-term savings, this budget book keeps everything organized.
- 【All-In-One Budget System:】Our monthly budget planner features a well-thought-out layout that simplifies your budgeting process. Includes monthly budget pages, expense trackers, bill organizers, savings goals, and debt trackers. Everything you need to manage money in one convenient planner.
- 【12-Month Duration】Our budget planner covers a total of 12 months, giving you an extended period of financial organization. Now you can make income and expense records at any time, ensuring every financial decision aligns with your long-term goals.
- 【Premium Quality and Convenience】Crafted with attention to detail, this budget planner boasts superior quality. The sturdy pink and gold coil binding allows for effortless flipping, while the metal corner protectors effectively prevent damage to the cover, ensuring long-lasting durability.
Rank #3
- Budget Planner: Stay on top of your finances and achieve your financial goals with our A5 Budget Planner. This beautifully designed budget book combines functionality and style, empowering you to effectively manage your budget month after month.
- Classic Design: The elegant pink cover with the striking "Budget Planner" in gold adds a touch of sophistication to your financial planner. Carry it with pride and make a statement as you take charge of your financial.
- Comprehensive Layout: Our monthly budget planner features a well-thought-out layout that simplifies your budgeting process. With a dedicated monthly budget page, four expense tracking pages, a monthly summary, and a notes section, you have all the tools you need for effective financial planning.
- 14-Month Duration: Unlike many other planners on the market, ours covers a total of 14 months, giving you an extended period of financial organization. Now you can make income and expense records at any time, ensuring every financial decision aligns with your long-term goals.
- Premium Quality and Convenience: Crafted with attention to detail, this budget planner boasts superior quality. The sturdy pink and gold coil binding allows for effortless flipping, while the A5 size makes it the perfect companion for your daily adventures, fitting into your bag or backpack without taking up too much space.
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