Compare plan and actual · Google Sheets
Compare your category budgets with actual spending. Account for refunds and see what remains in your monthly plan.
Free · personal use
Free for personal use. No payment or email required. Copy directly to Google Sheets, or import the downloaded .xlsx file into Google Sheets. Desktop Google Sheets is the supported editor.
Manual entry with fixed category choices. Refunds reduce expenses; transfers do not count as spending. Desktop Google Sheets is the supported format.
In this example, the monthly spending plan totals $1,500. Recorded transactions include $1,000 in rent, $120 in groceries and a $20 refund. Net spending is $1,100, leaving $400 in the plan.
| Monthly spending summary | Amount |
|---|---|
| Planned spending | $1,500 |
| Net spending | $1,100 |
| Budget remaining | $400 |
A $500 transfer between accounts does not count toward spending. The example also records $2,000 in income, shown separately from the comparison between your spending plan and actual spending.
Use your own category budgets and transactions to see where you are within your plan. The example uses fictional data, and the workbook relies on the entries you add.
Inside the workbook
Explore Dashboard, try a yellow input in Example, and see where your records go. The figures below are examples.
Category budget vs. net spending
The sample groceries category remains within its $200 budget.
Sample workbook figures. Figures use fictional inputs.
Net spending: $1,100. Transfers do not count as spending.
| Date | Description | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/02/2026 | Paycheck | Income | $2,000 |
| 10/03/2026 | Rent | Expense | $1,000 |
| 10/04/2026 | Groceries | Expense | $120 |
| 10/05/2026 | Returned item | Refund | $20 |
| 10/06/2026 | Between accounts | Transfer | $500 |
Sample figures in USD. The example is separate from the records in your own workbook.
Enter dates, preset categories, transaction types and positive amounts. Refunds reduce spending; transfers are excluded.
| Date | Category | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/03/2026 | Housing | Expense | $1,000 |
| 10/04/2026 | Groceries | Expense | $120 |
| 10/05/2026 | Shopping | Refund | $20 |
Use a Google account to copy the workbook into your own Drive after receiving your template.
Change a yellow input in Example. Practice figures stay separate from your own plan.
Add your inputs, then review Dashboard. Leave formula cells intact.
No bank connection, add-on, or Apps Script authorization required. Desktop setup is recommended.
User feedback
Feedback about this template.
User review
Monthly Budget
I've never been great at keeping a budget, but this spreadsheet makes it surprisingly simple. I can see all my expenses in one place without spending hours organizing things. It's become part of my monthly routine.
User review
Monthly Budget
I've tried budgeting apps, but I always end up coming back to spreadsheets. This one has everything organized without feeling overwhelming. I especially love having a clear overview of my income and expenses.
User review
Monthly Budget
Really happy with how straightforward this template is. I wanted something that would help me manage my money without having to learn a complicated system. It does exactly that, and it looks great too.
User review
Monthly Budget
This is probably the easiest budget spreadsheet I've used. Everything makes sense, and I don't have to spend forever updating it. It's nice to finally have a budget that feels realistic for everyday life.
User review
Monthly Budget
I wanted something simple to help me organize my household finances, and this has been perfect for that. I can easily see what we're spending and where we might need to cut back. No complicated setup required.
One workbook, a clear routine
One Google Sheets workbook with 6 tabs for setup, practice and your everyday plan.
Compare category budget and actual
Keep refunds separate from new spending
Spot over-budget categories
Follow a practical example, one step at a time.
Choose the free copy link and save the workbook in your own Google Drive.
Change a yellow input. Practice is separate from your own financial plan.
Follow Start Here, add your own inputs, and review Dashboard.
Before you choose
For a monthly view of personal or household income, budgets and transactions.
User review
Monthly Budget
I've tried budgeting apps, but I always end up coming back to spreadsheets. This one has everything organized without feeling overwhelming. I especially love having a clear overview of my income and expenses.
Free · personal use
Manual entry with fixed category choices. Refunds reduce expenses; transfers do not count as spending. Desktop Google Sheets is the supported format.
Free for personal use. No payment or email required. Copy directly to Google Sheets, or import the downloaded .xlsx file into Google Sheets. Desktop Google Sheets is the supported editor.
Yes. Get a free Google Sheets copy or download the workbook for personal use. No payment or email is required.
Google Sheets for desktop use. A Google account is required to create your own copy. Excel is not an available delivery format.
You can browse and try the website examples on your phone. Use Google Sheets in a desktop browser to set up and edit your workbook.
No bank connection, automatic bank import, add-on or Apps Script permission is required. Enter your own numbers in your own workbook copy.
One Google Sheets workbook with setup guidance and practice examples included as tabs. A downloadable workbook is also available for importing into Google Sheets.
Use the yellow input cells and follow Start Here. Leave formula cells intact. Transaction categories are preset. Inserting extra rows does not expand the supported capacity.
Up to 500 transactions and 13 preset spending categories; archive a copy when full.
No. The current workbook is free for personal use.
Choose Get free Google Sheets copy. Sign in to Google, then choose Make a copy to save it to your own Drive.
See Help for copying, importing and getting started. These free workbooks do not require a payment.
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