Get your finances organized with these free budgeting printables and easy budgeting tips. Reduce your stress and help set your family up for future financial success!
Family Binder
One of my goals for this year is to update our family binder. It’s not my favorite task, but I’m slowly going through it one section at a time, taking out things I wasn’t using, and revamping how I want to organize it all. I’m also working on updating the printables so they match the printables from The Household Organization Diet. These free budgeting printables are the first ones to be updated, but stay tuned for more! If you have anything specific that you’re looking for, let me know.
Family Budget
Yes, I know the word “budget” may make some of you want to turn around and run away. It’s definitely not my strong point either. Taking control of your finances, however, can go a long way in reducing your daily stresses and setting you up for future success. Empowering yourself with knowledge and making a few educated changes in your spending habits can really make a huge impact for you and your family. Writing everything down and using these free budgeting printables is one of the easiest ways to get started. I thought this quote was pretty fitting:
“Financial health is re-stored in two ways – first by doing the inner work of changing how you think and feel about money and then by doing the outerwork of practical money management.” – Marianne Williamson
How to Start a Family Budget
If you’re just getting started on this family binder series with me, start with this post on how to organize your bills. To get going on the budget, you will need to gather up all of your regular bills. You will also need to have access to your past bank records {either online or a paper statements} for at least the past month.
How to Use the Budgeting Printables
The budgeting printables are designed to easily guide you through the budgeting process. First, download the printables, save them to your computer, and then print them out. You can find all of the printables below. If you’re having any difficulties downloading the printables, make sure you’re using Google Chrome for your browser. Once you’ve filled in all of your printables, add them to your family binder and keep it handy to refer back to regularly. PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY.
Download the Free Budgeting Printables
You can find all of the free budgeting printables below. Choose which ones work best for you and commit to a time to sit down and develop your budget and plan.
Budget At a Glance
You may want to print a couple of copies out of the Budget at a Glance so you can have a rough copy to work with and plan. There are two versions of the budget available. One is already filled in with the budgeting subcategories so you just have to add in your personal amounts. The second version just has the main categories so you can customize your own subcategories.
DOWNLOAD BUDGET AT A GLANCE {3 pages}
DOWNLOAD BLANK BUDGET AT A GLANCE {3 pages}
Budget Overview
This printable just gives you a quick overview of your budget. Total up the subcategories from your budget at a glance to give you a general overview of where your expenses are going. If you have specific goals or things want to keep track of/review, just list them in the notes section for a reminder.
DOWNLOAD BUDGET OVERVIEW
Debt Tracker
Keep track of all of your debts owing in one quick glance. I usually update this one every 6 months, but you can update your amount owing monthly if you’d like. Just keep enough spaces between your debt items so you can add in the monthly updates.
DOWNLOAD DEBT TRACKER
Monthly Budget Tracker
The Monthly Budget tracker allows you to see how well you’re sticking to your budget. Use this for the first 3-6 months to make sure your budget is accurate and doable. You may need to adjust some budget expenses up or down based on results. Or see where you’re overspending so you can cut down on your expenses.
DOWNLOAD MONTHLY BUDGET TRACKER {3 pages}
DOWNLOAD BLANK MONTHLY BUDGET TRACKER {3 pages}
Tips for Taking Control of your Finances
- Make a list of all of your income and expenses on the Budget at a Glance sheet. {This should be fairly straight forward if you have already completed the bill tracking forms}. You can either use the prepared form to give you an idea of what to track or use the blank form if you would like to customize it more to your own needs.
- Mark your expenses as either a fixed expense {such as your mortgage, car payment, insurance, etc.} or a controllable expense {i.e. food, entertainment, personal care, etc.}. I like to highlight my controllable expenses but use whatever method works for you. If your budget is not looking too healthy, you will want to look at cutting back on your controllable expenses as much as possible. Your fixed income should be no more than 65% of your total income.
- If you’re not exactly sure what you spend each month {and since spending can vary from month to month}, you may want to keep a more detailed analysis of what you are spending over a 3-6 month period. You can use the monthly tracker for this.
- Don’t forget about savings! Even starting with a small amount can add up over time and will help to get you in the routine of saving. Make sure you are contributing to some kinds of long term savings account or investment fund. If you have kids, start a college fund as early as possible and look for government plans that will contribute money to this as well. These are R.E.S.P.s if you are here in Canada.
- Once you’ve developed your budget, review it on a monthly basis to see if you are staying on track. Remember that creating new habits take time, so even if it’s hard at first, you can do it!
More Tips On Organizing Paperwork
For more tips on organizing paperwork, check out these posts…
How to Organize Paperwork – Creating a Paper Trail
The Household Organization Diet
This post is part of The Household Organization Diet. If you’d like to learn more and receive all of the free monthly to-do lists, check out THIS POST. You can get that house cleaned and organized once and for all! You can find everything under the Get Organized tab at the top of the blog {click on Household Organization Diet}. Or follow along over on Pinterest on my Household Organization Diet pinterest board. Start at any time and make sure you are following along so you don’t miss out…
INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / NEWSLETTER
I hope you can join me and we can help each other stay motivated along the way!
Jordan says
These are some adorable printables! I will definitely have to try this out. Currently, we use mobile apps to keep track of our budgets but sometimes it’s great to have things written out too.
Carmia @ Clementine Creative says
This looks so simple and easy to fill in! Thank you for sharing this freebie 🙂 Found you on Motivational Monday link party.
Jenn Lifford says
You’re welcome Glad you found me! 🙂
Lynd says
simple and easy to comply.
thank you ofr sharing.
Kate Rigby (@mrsdiggerhound) says
Great printables. Wow you look so organised. I love the idea of a binder etc but I never keep things Up. Iuse Evernote to keep track of bills etc going out. Pinned though as may give it a go. Over from Funtastic Friday ; )
Jenn Lifford says
Whatever method works for you! I still love my pen and paper. 😉 Thanks so much for hosting!
All that's Jas says
I used to be organized and write everything down. I need to get that habit back and your printables would help. Thanks for linking up with Thursday Favorite Things!
Jenn Lifford says
Yes, it is so easy to fall back into old habits! Thanks so much for hosting!
Jessica says
I really need to create and stick to a budget.
Jenn Lifford says
I find that the hardest part is just getting started – it gets easier from there! 😉
Diane says
I love this way to organize the family finances into an “at a glance” format! Your post is so encouraging and helpful!
Thanks so much for sharing this post with us at #PureBlogLove link Party! the party starts every Thursday Evening at 8 p.m. EST. I’m hosting over at Homemade Food Junkie. Can’t wait to see what you bring next week!
Jenn Lifford says
Thank-you Diane! And thanks so much for hosting! 😉
Jeannette Mulligan says
I downloaded the blank budget at a glance with the intent of printing it out and handwriting on it for our family binder. But when I try to print it, since it comes up with Adobe Acrobat, it says that it can’t be printed out. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you, by the way, for the free printables. 🙂
Jeannette Mulligan says
Never mind. If I print directly from here, it prints. It’s when I downloaded it to my computer and tried to print it later, did it prevent me from printing.
Jenn Lifford says
Okay. Glad you figured it out! Technology can be so frustrating some times!! 😉
Zan says
This is a great idea – my hubby does the budget on the computer. Thanks for sharing with us at Home Matters linky party. We hope to see you at the next party and feel free to invite a friend!
Taylor says
As a college student that has been living on her own for the past two thankful for these budgeting sheets! All the nights out, fast food dinners, and impulse buys were leaving me baffled at the end of each month as to where all my money had gone. These budgeting sheets are specific enough for every expense I may have (I love the blank spaces), as well as financial goals I hope to achieve each month. Not to mention they’re adorable! Thanks a bunch for making my financial life easier!
Jenn Lifford says
So glad you found them helpful! 🙂
Ash says
Thanks for providing these free downloads! I will definitely be using them as I get our family finances back on track. (One note–I can’t help it, I’m an editor–“roadside” is misspelled in “roadside assistance.”)
Jenn Lifford says
Oops! Thanks!
BRidget says
I absolutely love these printables! I’ve been looking for simple budget sheets for some time now. Your blog is very inviting and easy to navigate. I just started up my own blog and it’s a bit overwhelming! 🙂 If you have any tips, I’d welcome them. lol Hope you have a blessed day.
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks! Good luck with starting up your blog! I know it can be a little overwhelming when you first get going. If you have any specific questions, I’d be happy to answer them!
Irene says
Thank you for sharing these printables! Though I don’t need Savings section (since nothing can be saved with my current income)), your budget tracking variant is surely the most nice and easy to use among all I’ve seen so far.
Jenn Lifford says
I hope they are helpful for you!
Jennifer says
love
Ginger F says
I just wanted to tell you thank you for sharing this. My husband and I have struggled to transparently and simply keep track of our income and expenses. I am so happy to have found your page and can’t wait to let you know how this works!
Jenn Lifford says
I hope it helps!
samantha says
Love your printables. Budgeting is so important for me and it does help to write it all out on paper! Thanks for joining the Family Joy Link Party!
Lauren says
Super cute!!!!! pinning now! Glad to have found you via FrugalMommas 🙂
Jenn Lifford says
Thanks so much!
Carolyn says
Thanks so much for the printables! I have been looking for budget sheets for awhile – these will come in handy. Thanks for sharing them!
Jenn Lifford says
Oh good! I hope they’re helpful for you!
Adelien Tan says
Being organized in the financial matters needs a lot of effort for me. I love the printable as they are very easy to fill in and beautiful in colors. Thank you for sharing at Family Fun Friday.
Susan says
Budgeting is so important, and it’s something we’ve stressed to our kids for a long time. I’m going to share these printables with my baby who’s just living in her first college apartment!
Congrats on your feature in the #ThisIsHowWeRoll link party on Organized 31. Pinning now!
Megan says
These printables are adorable, but I have a weird question- what kind of pen is that? haha thanks!
Jenn Lifford says
From a fellow office supply lover, that’s totally not a weird question. lol! They are Poppin’ pens. 🙂
Erin says
I am a single mom of my 5 month old baby girl and fiances are not my strong suit. I have been looking for ideas to help me get more organized with them and to stay on top of my money better. I found this page and absolutely love the ideas on here!
Jenn Lifford says
Good for you for taking control! I hope these help!
Sherry Day says
Thought I was going to be able to print a budget and debt organization sheet. How to do that if abailable.
Jenn Lifford says
Yes, you can print them. If you read the post, there are instructions on how to use the printables. You just need to click on the link where it says to download, save them to your computer and print them out. 🙂
Anjelica Slaughter says
Exactly what I needed. Thank you so much 🙂
Jenn Lifford says
Hope it’s helpful!