Introduction: Monthly Budget Planner
Here is a completed Digital Budget Tracker
Step 1: Create a New Google Sheet
Step 2: Setup Headers
In the first row of the spreadsheet, create headers for your data:
- In cell A1 enter May's Estimated Income
- In cell D1 enter your month's income
- Move down to row 3
- In cell A3 enter "TYPE"
- In cell B3 enter "BUDGET CATEGORIES"
- In cell C3 enter "EXPECTED SPENDING"
- In cell B29 enter "TOTAL EXPENSES
- In cell A31 enter "Total Budget Not Allocated
Step 3: Format Headers & Data Table
Select the first row.
Click on the Bold button (or press `Ctrl + B`).
Change the background color of the headers for better visibility by clicking the Fill color button and selecting a color.
Adjust the column widths to fit the content by double-clicking the right edge of each column header.
For your budget table(where your data will be) underneath the TYPE and BUDGET CATEGORIES headers select cells A4: B29 and change the background color
Then under the Expected Spending header select cells C4:C29 and change the background color
Step 4: Add Data Validation to Type Column
To ensure consistency in your categories, you can use data validation.
Select the cells under the "TYPE" column (e.g., A4:A28).
Go to `Data` > `Data validation`.
In the "Criteria" field, select `List of items` and enter your categories (e.g., Bill, Debt, Expense, Saving ).
(Optional) To add color to your data-validated categories simply click the blank circle and press customize to add colors to each of your labels
Click `Save`
Step 5: Input Your Data
Input your monthly transactions under each header to get started. For example:
- Cell A4: Bill
- Cell B4: Rent
- Cell C4: =1,200
- Cell A5: Bill
- Cell B5: Utilities
- Cell C5: =150
- Cell A6: Debt
- Cell B6: Car Payment
- Cell C6 =100
- Continue inputting your monthly transactions untill complete
*when inputting values under the "Expected Spending" column don't forget to add = then amount to ensure accurate total expenses
Step 6: Adding Formula's
In cell C29 (adjacent to the "TOTAL EXPENSES" cell) input formula =sum(C4:C28)
- This formula adds individual cell ranges and calculates the sum
Move down to row 31 and in cell C31 =D1-C29
- This formula is your total expense from your total income
Step 7: Create Charts for Visualization (Optional)
Select the data range you want to visualize (e.g., your income and expenses data).
Go to `Insert` > `Chart`.
Choose the chart type that best represents your data (e.g., pie chart for category breakdown, line chart for trends over time).
Customize the chart as needed.
Step 8: Save and Share
Click on `File` > `Save` to ensure your data is saved.
To share your budget planner with others, click on `Share` in the top-right corner, enter the email addresses, and set the appropriate permissions (e.g., view or edit).
