How to Make a Spending Budget Spreadsheet

Create a budget in Excel to track your monthly spending.

Creating a budget is never fun. It can be stressful and depressing. To keep our finances under control, it is important that we follow a strict budget. Excel implements all of the features needed to create a spending budget spreadsheet. Budgets are created manually or by using a previously made template. Previously made templates are available online through the Microsoft Office website. Creating your own budget spreadsheet requires patience but not a lot of experience.

Instructions

1. Open Microsoft Excel. Excel presents you with a blank spreadsheet. Enter the current month into cell A1.

2. Use Column A to list all of your bills. Starting with cell A2, place one name into each cell, listing them downward. Examples are mortgage, phone, car payment, food and credit cards.

3. List the average amount of each monthly bill into Column B. Make sure to correctly line up the amount with the corresponding bill.

4. List the dates that each bill is due into Column C. This allows you to keep track of your bills and prevents them from becoming overdue.

5. Create a row to total Columns B. Below the list of the names of your bills, enter "Total" into a cell in Column A. This row will be considered as your "Total" row.

6. Enter a formula into Column B of the Total row. The formula should look something like this: =SUM(B1:B12). B1 represents the first cell in column B and B12 represents the last cell in column B. This cell will add the total amount of your bills.

7. Enter the word "Income" into the cell directly below the "Total" cell. In column B, enter the total amount of your monthly income. This cell is directly adjacent to the cell containing the word "Income."

8. Enter a formula into the cell directly below the amount of income. This formula should look something like this: =B10-B9. B10 represents your income and B9 represents your total amount of bills. The amount in this cell is the amounts of income remaining after you have paid your bills.

9. Enter the word "Savings" into the cell that is two rows below the word "Income." Type in a formula into the next cell that is something like this: =B11*0.15. B11 represents the remainder of income and .15 represents 15 percent of your income to be placed into savings. You can edit the percentage amount to fit your needs.

10. Enter the word "Remainder" into the cell directly below the word "Savings." In the next cell, enter a formula resembling this: =B11-B12. B11 represents your remainder of income and B12 represents the amount of savings. The amount in this box is the amount left over throughout the month.

11. Format each cell to make your spreadsheet more attractive and easy to read. To format a cell, highlight the cell and use the options in the Font section of the Home tab. You can make your text bold or colored and also change the size. Add borders to emphasize important cells. Using the Number section in the Home tab, you can designate each cell to represent a number, percentage, text or date. Adjust your spreadsheet's format until you are satisfied with how it looks. If you make a mistake, use the undo button at the very top of the spreadsheet, or press Ctrl and Z.

12. Follow this procedure throughout each month in your spreadsheet. Enter a new month below each preceding month. Replace the numbers in the formula to calculate accordingly.

13. Save your data by clicking the "Microsoft Office" button and selecting "Save." Enter a name for your spreadsheet into the "File Name" box and press save.

Tips & Warnings

• This spreadsheet is editable. If your bills change, you can update them as needed.

References

• Microsoft: Commonly Used Formulas
• Microsoft Online: Spending Budget Templates