We’ll write it down on this page, give ourselves a timeframe in which to complete it (by the end of December 2023), and then we’ll list the action steps that we are going to take in order to reach that goal. Let’s say we’ve set a goal to pay off our student loans in the next year. When Donnie and I take the time to sit down together and write out our financial goals, it puts us on the same page, and we are much more likely to achieve what we set out to do! Goal setting is oh-so-important to me, especially when it comes to finances. Monthly Check-in Page– This page helps you take a look over the previous month’s finances and gauge what you did well and what you would like to improve for the upcoming month.Pages to Track Variable Monthly Expenses– These sheets track expenses that vary some from month to month like grocery shopping, eating out, gas, clothing, etc.Pages to Track Recurring Expenses– These sheets track bills that stay pretty much the same each month like mortgage/rent, car payments, student loan payments, utility bills, etc.Goal Setting Sheet– Set financial goals for the year so you know exactly what you’re working toward.Cover Page– Keep track of your binder (and make it pretty so you want to use it often)!.(If you click on each of the links below, you can jump right to the explanation for that particular page.) Here’s what to include in a budget binder: There are several key pages that I include in my budget binder each year. A budget calendar will help you stick to a plan for the future, review your progress, and remain flexible enough to adjust your strategy as you learn from your mistakes.Ĭoncentrate on growing and improving in your financial journey, not achieving perfection.What should be included in a budget binder?
Whether you’re getting a head start on your financial goals or playing catch-up to conquer debt, planning ahead and staying organized are the two major keys to achieving your objectives. You can also add additional calendar pages dedicated to helping you reassess your goals every few months. Leave space in the margins to add your monthly budget categories and savings goals, as well as any other information that’s important to you, like debt balances or current credit score. Add dates like tax deadlines and infrequent special events like Christmas, weddings, or birthdays that might require additional spending. Mark all automatic transfers to savings accounts and contributions to retirement accounts and other benefit programs. Add the due dates and amounts for all of your bills, such as credit cards, utilities, and loan payments. If your income is variable, decide on regular days to record what you’ve earned and mark those instead. Track your paydays and amounts each month. While your budget calendar has room to record the basic budget categories, you may want to add a purpose-built budget tracker if you’d like to break your budget out into smaller categories or if you have a longer list of monthly spending items.Įveryone’s budget calendars vary a bit according to their needs, but there are a few key elements all budget calendars should have:
If you’re paying off debts (like student loans, credit card debt, or medical bills) this year, you should add a tracker designed specifically to help pay off debt. Your calendar isn’t meant to track small, day-to-day expenses like a cup of coffee, so you should also use a spreadsheet or tracker to stay mindful of how minor spending can add up. To maximize the power of your calendar and set yourself up for a successful year, you should add a few other tools to the mix: While a budget calendar is a powerful tool, it’s just one weapon in your financial arsenal. Plotting key dates and recording your cash flows will help you anticipate and plan for financial events and emergencies, preventing you from being caught off-guard and having to deplete savings or go into debt.
PRINTABLE MONTHLY BUDGET CALENDAR DOWNLOAD
We’ve created a printable budget calendar designed for organizing your money in 2023 - download and print it to get started! How a Budget Calendar Can Help You Achieve Financial GoalsĪ budget calendar can help you with whatever you hope to accomplish financially, whether it’s paying off existing debts or building up savings to invest in your future. You can choose to add a budget calendar to your existing paper or digital calendar, or you can create a brand-new calendar that’s just for tracking your finances. And there’s no better way to do so than by creating a budget calendar to track your income, expenses, and financial goals throughout the year. The new year is the perfect time to recommit to getting your finances organized.
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