You made it this far, so thank you! 

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Now, before you start using this budgeting tool please note: it is entirely analog. 

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You may all of a sudden have been filled with rage directed at me after hearing this. However, please bear with me as I explain why.

 

While hihg tech automatic budgeting tools are all the rage and can be quite helpful, I find they are a bit easier to hide-behind (for lack of a better word).  When you have to input every charge you make on your credit card with your own hands into the correct category, you will very quickly come to terms with your spending. You will notice if it fills you with anger, happiness, regret, etc. These feelings are so important (trust me, even when they piss you off they are such a valauble experience -- and yes they will all occur more than once!). You will start to think twice about and really interrogate the reasoning behind what you are about to buy. 

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Now, the goal of this budget is to help you get an idea of what you are spending so that you can hopefully save some amount of money at the end of the month! With that said, please note that my biggest takeaway from using this budgeting tool for amost a year is that there will  be an exceptional expense every single month. No, I am unfortunately not joking.

 

Whether it be a car being towed, something in your house breaking, or just something you really wanted to buy, there will be a line on yours spreadsheet every single montht hat you didnt expect. And that is ok!This is not the end of the world, as long as you have planned for it!

 

Meaning, you should do yourself the favor (that I didn't do for such a long time and have lived to regret) of factoring in the monthly random expense into your budget. That way, it is a matter of saving a bit less this month, rather than ending up with a negative number (and yes, it did take me three months to stop getting negative numbers). 

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All that said, here is a quick explanation of how I designed the template and why. 

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p.s. if you hate explanations and would rather just jump in, the link is at the top (yes, I am one thjose too -- but I do always have to go back after failing and read the instructions so pick your poison and this is here when you want to read it!)

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​​​​​This explanation is even quicker than the one for the other budgets!

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1) This is your "I Hate Budgets" budget. Meaning, this is in my opinion, the least amount of information you can have while still remaining aware of your finances. 

2) You simply track how much you are paid, which most people are very aware of, and note it next to "Icome for Month". 

3) As for spending, all you have to do is track how much you spend for each category (which your banking app can do for you with relative accuracy) and note the amount in each category.

4) Then at the end of the month, you will know how much you made, spent, and have remaining. 

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Please note, use your post-tax income as that is the real amount you have at your disposal. And know, it is ok to change things as you go! I made plently of changes to my monthly budget as I realized the amount I was willing to part with for it!

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If you ever feel yourself warming to the idea of a more detailed budget, find the Monthly Budget and Annual Budgets here and here respectively!