How to Create a Budget in Google Sheets [7 Budget...
Effective money management begins with a good budget. Google Sheets offers a free and editable means of monitoring spending, saving, and staying financially secure. In this tutorial, we'll guide you through creating a budget in Google Sheets and present seven pre-made templates.
Step 1: Open Google Sheets and Start a New Spreadsheet
Head to Google Sheets and click on Blank Spreadsheet to begin from scratch. Or, use a pre-made Google Sheets budget template.
Step 2: Create Your Budget Categories
Write down your income sources (salary, freelance, investments) and expense categories (rent, groceries, entertainment) in two different columns. This allows you to see where your money is going easily.
Step 3: Enter Your Income and Expenses
Under each heading, put the expected and actual figures for the month. Utilize formulas such as =SUM(B2:B10) to calculate automatically.
Step 4: Conditionally Format
Mark overspending by using conditional formatting under the "Format" tab. This will alter cell color depending on spending limits.
Step 5: Leverage Google Sheets Formulas for Automation
Use formulas such as =B2-C2 to compute savings and =SUM(D2:D10) for overall expenses. Google Sheets also accommodates pivot tables for complex analysis.
7 Free Google Sheets Budget Templates
Simple Monthly Budget
50/30/20 Budget Rule Template
Zero-Based Budget Planner
Personal Finance Tracker
Business Budget Spreadsheet
Debt Payoff Calculator
Annual Budget Planner
Final Thoughts
Budgeting is more accessible and simpler with Google Sheets. Begin with a template or build your own to monitor spending, pay off debt, and increase savings with ease.