Before I share with you my best budget binder printables, let me start with how my budget templates came to exist. I’ve always been a big budgeter. At least that is what my mom likes to tell me. Apparently, I’ve been a saver since the ripe old age of three. I do recall that as a child I would sit and count coins and bills, safely tucking them inside my copper-colored piggy bank.
Although I am still good with saving, I can’t say that I’ve ever been too organized about the whole thing. Thankfully, my husband is a big Excel spreadsheet nerd (please don’t tell him I said that). Therefore, I’ve always just sort of let him do the budgeting in our household. Every six months or so he likes to show me all the cool graphs and charts in his spreadsheets. I do the obligatory “ooh” and “ahh” and compliment his superior spreadsheet-making abilities.
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All joking aside though, I’ve been incredibly grateful that I married a man who is great at budgeting! Recently though, I decided I needed to create my own household management templates to use for family types of budgeting and tracking, like summer activities (camps, trips, etc) as well as budgeting for the holidays. I needed something that was simple, basic, and that I could use in my own way. A way for me to make sure I am staying within budget so I don’t stress when it comes time to plan a vacation, birthday party, or other seasonal expense. Can you relate?
If you are someone like me who prefers simple budget templates, you’ve come to the right place! Scroll down to check out my best budget binder printables:
Budget Binder Printables – Monthly
A monthly budget printable will help you track your income as well as expenses and savings so that you can stay on top of your finances! You can print this out and write on the sheet or use a laminated sleeve and write on it with a dry erase pen (this is the method I personally use).
Budget Binder Printables – Budget Tracker
If you prefer to have more space to go into detail regarding your bills and expenses, our Budget Tracker Printable can be an effective and simple way to track your finances.
Budget Binder Printables – Savings Goals
I don’t know about you, but if I don’t write things down, I don’t follow through on my tasks! This is especially true when it comes to saving money. I printed out my Savings Goals sheet and hung it up on my fridge so that I can see it all the time. It feels really good when I write down an amount of money I’m able to save each week. Having a goal written at the top helps me stay motivated!
Budget Binder Printables – No Spend Challenge
If you have an Amazon addiction like me, you can probably benefit from a savings challenge. You can use this printable No Spend Challenge to curb your spending addictions.
Budget Binder Printables – 100 Day Savings Challenge
Got something special you’re saving up for? I love using the 100 Day Savings Challenge for some of my guilty pleasures like a new hair dryer or kitchen appliance. Things that I don’t need but really want. You could also have your kids use this sheet for something they really want. It’s a great way to teach them the value of money and saving.
Budget Binder Printables – Holiday Budget
The holidays can be stressful. Recently I realized that the biggest reason I was so stressed was because I didn’t actually know what our family budget was for gifts and other things like holiday décor. That’s when I decided to draft up a Holiday Budget printable.
Budget Binder Printables – Travel Budget
Same goes for family and personal trips. Looking back, it seems so obvious that I should have been using a budget template to help me plan yearly trips for the past decade. But being a busy mom, I guess I’ve just been living day to day (with many days living in survival mode).
Writing out this article, I think my husband and I are due for our yearly sit-down vacation planning talk. Ugh.
Budget Binder Printables – Summer Budget
Summers are a bit of a cluster-crazy, budget-busting circus. Between summer camps, going to theme parks, and everything in between (those fro yo trips quickly add up, don’t they?). In the spring, my husband and I had a summer meeting where we decided on a budget for all of the aforementioned activities. This summer was still a bit looney tunes, but at least my stress level was less than in prior years when we didn’t plan out a budget ahead of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How to create a budget binder that works?
Step One: Gather Your Materials
– A sturdy binder (1 or 2 inches thick, depending on how much you want to include)
– Divider tabs or pocket dividers
– Loose-leaf paper or printable budget sheetsStep Two: Choose Your Categories
– Decide on the sections you want to include in your budget binder. Here are some common categories:
– Income Tracker: A section to record all sources of income, including salary, side gigs, freelance work, etc.
– Expense Tracker: A section to log daily, weekly, or monthly expenses. This helps you understand where your money is going.
– Bill Tracker: A section to keep track of recurring bills, their due dates, amounts, and payment status.Step Three: Create or Download Printable Budget Sheets
– Make sure to choose budget printables that suit your style and needs, or create your own using a program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
– Print enough copies to last for several months.Step Four: Start Tracking Your Finances
– Begin filling out your budget sheets, income tracker, and expense tracker. – Make it a habit to update your binder daily or weekly. This will help you stay on top of your finances and make adjustments as needed. -
Are budget binders worth it?
Writing down your expenses and income by hand can increase your awareness of your spending habits. Seeing your finances laid out in a binder can help you identify patterns, areas of overspending, and opportunities for savings.
A budget binder can also serve as a tangible reminder of your financial goals. As you update it regularly, it keeps you accountable and motivated to stay on track with your budgeting plans!
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Where can I find budget binder printables?
You can find budget binder printables online for free or for a small fee. Websites like Etsy, Pinterest, and various personal finance blogs offer tons of options, so you can choose the ones that fit your style and needs!
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How do I use budget binder printables effectively?
To use budget binder printables effectively, start by printing out the templates that work best for you. Fill them out regularly, keep them in a binder for easy access, and review your progress monthly to stay motivated and on track with your financial goals!
