Quick Tips To Ensure Success When Using Excel Budgeting Spreadsheet

By Jana Serrano


Many people find it hard to keep track of their expenditure. Some can hardly point out where their pay checks go after every month. For such people, having a sure plan on how to spend their income can help. An excel budgeting spreadsheet is thus an important tool such a person may want to consider. However, there are various steps one should take even with this tool if they are to succeed in their plans.

One may have a good budget template. However, without clear financial goals, it is hard to achieve anything. You ought to have discipline and focus as well to achieve financial goals. Once you have set your goals, you can use the excel budgeting tool to help you work towards your plans. Prepare a record showing short and long-term financial goals. It is crucial to list them in order of priority. However, most excel budget worksheets will allow you to edit and make necessary changes.

Consider your net income. This also includes any other source of income outside your salary. Make sure to less all deductions such as P. A. Y. E, social security, insurance and others. Only consider the amount of money that remains after all deductions. This is what you use in your budget worksheet.

Check if your worksheet has columns for variable and fixed expenses. This is important categorization when planning. You already know various expenditures such as mortgage payments and loans as fixed. These do not change for a specific period. However, other payments you make may change depending on different circumstances. For instance, fuel, entertainment and food prices vary. Fill each in the relevant column and indicate how much you spend on the item per month.

Other groups you may consider include savings, wants and needs. This helps when choosing which items are mandatory to spend on. Money set apart for savings could go to your emergency fund or holiday plans. Needs are those items necessary for your survival. Luxuries or entertainment falls in the category of wants; one can choose not to spend on these and still live comfortably. Categorizing your expenditures makes it easy to point out how your money is spent. You can analyse easily and make changes where necessary.

Always go for worksheets that are easily customizable to fit different users. Several excel budget templates exist online today. Such you can change a few things or add fields to match your requirements. If you want to gain control of expenditure, concentrate on the variable expenses and find areas you can save a few coins.

Always note your daily expenses. You may not have them in your worksheets; but writing such in a paper will help in showing different areas where you spend money. Use such details to plan for future. Planning for your income in good time enables you to use it for desired items only. This way, you avoid unwanted or impulse purchases.

There are various worksheets available online today. One will find not only free excel budget worksheets but also Google document spreadsheets. Of importance is to use templates which are easy to customize to desired fields.




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