November 2026
Monthly budget
Personal templates
Free monthly budget template, built with AI
Track income, needs, wants and savings, planned versus actual, on one printable page, with a filled-in example month. Download the PDF or the editable Word file and take control of your money.
In this guide: What is a monthly budget · The 50/30/20 rule · How to make a budget · Sticking to it · FAQ
What is a monthly budget?
A monthly budget is a plan for how you’ll use the money you earn each month. You list your income, decide how much goes to each expense and to savings, and then track what you actually spend. Comparing your plan with reality shows you where your money really goes, and that’s usually the moment people find easy savings.
This monthly budget template uses “planned vs actual” columns and splits spending into needs, wants and savings, so you can see your whole month at a glance.
The 50/30/20 budget rule
If you’re not sure where to start, the 50/30/20 rule is a simple guideline for dividing your after-tax income:
- 50% for needs: rent, utilities, groceries, transport, insurance and minimum debt payments.
- 30% for wants: dining out, subscriptions, shopping, hobbies and entertainment.
- 20% for savings and extra debt payments: emergency fund, retirement and investing.
It’s a starting point, not a strict rule. In a high-cost city, needs might take more than half your income, and that’s fine as long as you know it.
How to make a monthly budget, step by step
1. Add up your income
Use your take-home pay after tax, plus any side income. If your income varies, use a cautious estimate.
2. List your fixed expenses
Rent, insurance, subscriptions and loan payments that stay the same each month.
3. Estimate variable expenses
Look at the last two or three months of bank statements for groceries, fuel and dining out.
4. Pay yourself first
Decide on your savings amount before your wants, and treat it like a bill.
5. Track actual spending
Fill in the “actual” column each week. At the end of the month, compare, and adjust next month’s plan:
“Dining out was $60 over budget – plan two home-cooked date nights next month.”
See where your money goes
A one-page planned-vs-actual budget.
Tips for sticking to your budget
- Set up automatic transfers to savings on payday.
- Review your budget for 10 minutes every week, not just at month end.
- Cancel subscriptions you haven’t used in the last month.
- Build a small emergency fund first, so surprises don’t wreck the plan.
- Allow some fun money. Budgets that are too strict rarely last.
Monthly budget questions
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A guideline to spend about 50% of after-tax income on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and extra debt payments.
How do I start a monthly budget?
Add up your take-home income, list fixed and variable expenses, set a savings amount, then track actual spending against your plan.
How much should I save each month?
A common target is 20% of take-home pay, but any regular amount is a good start. Build an emergency fund first.
Is this monthly budget template free?
Yes. Download the PDF or Word file with no signup, no watermark and no paywall.
Can I edit this template in Word or Google Docs?
Yes. Download the Word (.docx) version and edit it in Microsoft Word, or upload it to Google Docs or Apple Pages. The PDF is ready to print and fill in by hand.
Should I budget with a template or an app?
Both work. A printable template is simple and makes you look at every number; apps can automate tracking. Use whichever you’ll stick with.
