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create a budget spreadsheet
Financial

Create a Budget Spreadsheet: Columns and Worked Example

Create a budget spreadsheet by listing income, essential spending, other spending and planned saving over the same period.

Time:
60 min
Cost:
free
Difficulty:
moderate
Where:
Indoors
Best:
Solo

Create a budget spreadsheet by listing income, essential spending, other spending and planned saving over the same period. Keep planned and actual amounts separate so you can review what changed. Start with one month and use recent statements rather than guessing every expense.

A simple budget spreadsheet layout

Use columns for Category, Planned, Actual and Difference. Put income in its own section, then list housing, utilities, food, transport, debt payments and optional spending. With planned amounts in B and actual amounts in C, a spending difference can be “=B2-C2”: a positive value means you spent less than planned.

Calculate money remaining as total income minus total spending and saving allocations. For example, £1,800 income minus £1,500 spending minus £100 planned saving leaves £200. This is an illustration, not a typical budget. Add irregular costs as appropriate and do not count an internal account transfer twice as spending.

Why create a budget spreadsheet is worth an hour

A manageable first session lets you check the instructions, try an appropriate starting point and decide what to do next. Review what suited your circumstances before increasing the scope or committing to a longer plan.

Further guidance

Use these sources to check details and plan your next step.

Sources checked 13 October 2026. Check the linked source for current details.

How to create a budget spreadsheet step by step

  1. 1

    Prepare

    Choose a reporting period and collect income and expense records.

  2. 2

    Try the practical steps

    Create planned and actual columns, checking totals and transfers.

  3. 3

    Review and follow up

    Review remaining money and adjust the plan to fit your real commitments.

Tips to get more out of it

  • Separate confirmed income from estimates and review the budget when money arrives. Plan essential commitments carefully and seek money guidance if income uncertainty makes bills difficult to cover.

Ways to mix it up

You can use the session to read the linked guidance and plan a suitable next step. If the suggested activity does not fit today, choose a smaller version or ask for individual advice where needed.

For more ideas, browse financial activities.

Another activity to try is create an emergency fund savings plan.

Create a budget spreadsheet: frequently asked questions

How should I budget with irregular income?

Separate confirmed income from estimates and review the budget when money arrives. Plan essential commitments carefully and seek money guidance if income uncertainty makes bills difficult to cover.

This guide is general information, not professional financial advice. See our disclaimer.

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