Example Budget Spreadsheet

Here's an example of the budget spreadsheet I use.  It shows the categories that are meaningful to me, and by breaking down expenses vs. savings in total spending, it shows me roughly how much I'd need to be financially independent (the point when my passive income >= my expenses).

Also, see how I delegate a portion of the budget to my wife.  We're a one income family, but I want her to have ownership of the budget--she's closest to those categories and can better manage them than me.  This is something you need to tailor to your own situation.

Additionally, I use cash for several areas--I find I spend less and feel my money more when it's not an abstract bank transaction.

Actual numbers here are notional.

Category Name	Month	1st of Mo. Pay	Mid Mo. Pay	Annual Total
Net Income	Net Pay Only (taxes, 401K not included)
Job 1 income	$6,000	$3,000	$3,000	$72,000
Job 2 income	$0			$0
Spouse's Checking (below)	($1,400)	($700)	($700)	($16,800)
Giving
Charity 1	($100)	($100)	$0	($1,200)
Charity 2	($50)	($50)	$0	($600)
Non-Discretionary
Mortgage / rent	($1,200)	($1,200)	$0	($14,400)
Auto:Fuel	($50)	($50)	$0	($600)
Auto: Registration, Mx	($50)	($50)	$0	($600)
Insurance	($100)	$0	($100)	($1,200)
Life Insurance	($70)	($70)	$0	($840)
Utilities:Electric	($125)	$0	($125)	($1,500)
Utilities:Gas	($30)	$0	($30)	($360)
Utilities:Telephone	($65)	($30)	($35)	($780)
Utilities:Water/Sewer	($65)	$0	($65)	($780)
Groceries	See Spouse's Checking (below)
Discretionary
Cash	($300)	($150)	($150)
Kid's Activities	See Spouse's Checking (below)
Utilities:Cable/Internet	($40)	($40)	$0
Savings Goals
Christmas	($100)	$0	($100)
Car replacement	($200)	$0	($200)
Vacation	($150)	$0	($150)
Investments
Kids 529	($100)	$0	($100)
Kids General Savings	($100)	($100)	$0
Taxable Investments	($250)	$0	($250)
House Savings	($400)	($400)	$0
401K	Already Deducted from Income
RIRA 1	($458)		($458)
RIRA 2	($458)	$0	($458)	Annual
Investments Subtotal	($1,766)	($500)	($1,266)	($21,192)
Living Expenses Subtotal	($4,095)	($2,440)	($1,655)	($49,140)
% Investing	29%	17%	42%
% Living Expenses	68%	81%	55%
Total Income	$6,000	$3,000	$3,000	$72,000
Total Expenses	($5,861)	($2,940)	($2,921)	($70,332)
Difference	$139	$60	$79
Spouse's Checking	Month	1st of Mo. Pay	Mid Mo. Pay
Groceries (checking)	($400)	($200)	($200)
Groceries (cash)	($200)	($100)	($100)
Auto:Fuel	($100)	($50)	($50)
Dining out (cash)	($120)	($60)	($60)
Shopping: Online/Clothing	($240)	($120)	($120)
Shopping (cash)	($240)	($120)	($120)
Kids Activities	($100)	($50)	($50)
Total Spouse's Checking	($1,400)	($700)	($700)