Monthly budget planner

How to use it

1. Enter your income after tax for the month.
2. Fill in the amount you plan for each category; set unused ones to 0.
3. Read what is left and adjust until the plan balances.

How it works

Left = income − sum of the categories. Shares = amount ÷ income × 100. The yearly figure is the monthly left × 12, which assumes every month is the same.

Worked example

Income 3500 with planned amounts of 1400, 180, 450, 250, 120, 200, 400, 200 and 100 totals 3300: 200 left, 94.3% of income planned, housing 40% and savings 11.4%.

Tips

• Use average amounts for bills that vary and divide yearly bills by 12.
• Check your real spending after a month and adjust the plan.
• Keep a small category for irregular costs so they do not break the plan.