Also called Monthly Cash Flow Planning Form or Income and Expense Worksheet, they are used to track your expenses so you can plan your budget accordingly.

To have a realistic and workable budget,  it’s important to get an accurate number for each budget category.  The following worksheet will be used to determine how you have been spending your money over the last few months.

You can then use the numbers to prepare your new budget with accurate numbers in each spending category.

Bonus! If you’ve already been using Quicken or Money, you may be in luck.  Both of these programs will allow you to print reports for categories that you may already be using when you enter items in the register.  Once you get these reports, it’s really easy to fill out the budgeting worksheet.

Do you already know how much you spend in each category?  Then start your budget right away with this free excel budget form

Click here for a Printer-friendly version

Budget Planning Worksheet (Income and Expenses)
Income	Amount ($)
	Month 1	Month 2	Month 3
Your Pay (Take Home)
Spouse’s Pay (Take Home)
Bonuses, Commissions, Tips
Alimony / Child Support
Rental Income
Pension / Retirement Income
Social Security Income
Interest / Investment Earnings
Other Income (list below)
Total Income $
Fixed Expenses:	Month 1	Month 2	Month 2
Rent or Mortgage (include Principal, Interest, Tax, Insurance)
Insurance (home, auto, life, disability, etc.) Don’t include health if it’s already taken out of your paycheck
Taxes (not taken out of paycheck)
Car Payments
Misc Loan Payments (school loans, etc.)
Savings (Regular/Emergency)
Flexible Expenses:	Month 1	Month 2	Month 2
Debt Payments (credit cards, store cards, etc.)
Utilities (Gas, Water, Phone, Electric, Cable, Etc.)
Auto Gasoline
Misc Auto  (oil, repairs, maintenance)
Food/Groceries (include dining out)
Clothing
Household Supplies (paper products, non-food items, etc.)
Medical/Dental/Eye Care (not covered by insurance)
Recreation/Entertainment  (movies, vacation, videos, etc.)
Church/Charity Giving
Child Care (including babysitting)
Education (private school, pre-school)
Other Expenses (List)
	Month 1	Month 2	Month 2
Total Expenses: $
Total Income - Total Expenses $

Once you’ve filled out this worksheet for the last few months, you will be ready to fund your budget categories accurately.

Good luck, and remember that although this may not be a fun process, try to keep your eyes focused on the goal: a financially secure future! And budgeting is the first step.