Guide · By DueTrack Studio · Updated 2026-10-29
Free monthly budget template (printable and CSV)
A good monthly budget template has four parts: income, fixed bills, savings, and flexible spending by category. Fill in the planned amounts at the start of the month, write the actual amounts as you go, and the difference shows where to adjust. Below is a free template you can copy, print or import as a CSV file.
What goes in a monthly budget template?
- INCOME — take-home pay, other income.
- FIXED BILLS — rent or mortgage, utilities, phone, internet, insurance, loan payments, subscriptions.
- SAVINGS — emergency fund, goals, retirement.
- FLEXIBLE SPENDING — groceries, eating out, transport, personal, fun, gifts.
- TOTALS — planned, actual, difference.
How do you use a budget template?
- Write planned amounts for every line before the month starts.
- Make sure income minus bills minus savings leaves something for flexible spending.
- Record actual amounts weekly.
- At month end, move unspent money to savings or next month.
Can you use the template as a CSV file?
To keep the template on your phone, save your transactions as a CSV file with the columns Date, Amount, Type, Category, Account, Payee and Note. Budget apps such as Money Manager import that format directly.
Is a spreadsheet or an app better for budgeting?
A spreadsheet template is ideal for planning. An app is better for the daily part — recording purchases when they happen — because it is always in your pocket.
Questions
Can I get a simple budget sheet I can just fill in?
Yes — the template on this page has income, bills, savings and spending lines. Copy it into a notebook or spreadsheet, or keep it on your phone in a budget app.
Is this budget template free?
Yes. Copy, print or adapt it however you like.
What columns should a budget CSV have?
At minimum Date and Amount. Type (income or expense), Category, Account, Payee and Note make it far more useful.