Template · Budgeting
Zero-based monthly budget
Assign monthly income to spending, savings, and debt categories, then compare each allocation with actual spending.
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XLSXCSVODSXMLNumbers| Zero-based monthly budget | ||||
| Example data — replace the blue input cells with your own. | ||||
| Assign monthly income to spending, savings, and debt categories, then compare each allocation with actual spending. | ||||
| Populated records | 4 | |||
| Planned allocations (USD) | $2,800.00 | |||
| Income still unassigned (USD) | $1,200.00 | |||
| Monthly income (USD) | 4000 | |||
| 60 record rows. Blue cells are inputs; dark cells calculate. | ||||
| Category | Group | Planned (USD) | Actual (USD) | Remaining (USD) |
| Rent | Needs | $1,500.00 | $1,400.00 | $100.00 |
| Groceries | Needs | $450.00 | $480.00 | -$30.00 |
| Savings | Goals | $600.00 | $600.00 | $0.00 |
| Leisure | Wants | $250.00 | $190.00 | $60.00 |
Showing the first 16 of 72 rows and 5 of 5 columns. Cells with formulas show the formula on hover.
| Zero-based monthly budget | |||
| Method, inputs, and limits for this workbook. | |||
| What it does | |||
| Assign monthly income to spending, savings, and debt categories, then compare each allocation with actual spending. | |||
| How to use it | |||
| Replace the fictional records in blue cells with your own data. Keep the dark formula cells. Set monthly income (usd) in B8. Read the calculated columns and inspect the results before using them. Clear unused input rows; keep their formula… | |||
| Formulas and method | |||
| Remaining allocation equals planned amount less actual spending. The income control in B8 less total planned allocations shows how much income is still unassigned. | |||
| Assumptions and limits | |||
| Savings and debt allocations are uses of income here. Transfers between your own accounts should be counted once to avoid double-counting. | |||
| Missing numeric inputs |
Showing the first 16 of 72 rows and 4 of 4 columns. Cells with formulas show the formula on hover.
What does this template do?
Assign monthly income to spending, savings, and debt categories, then compare each allocation with actual spending.
Remaining allocation equals planned amount less actual spending. The income control in B8 less total planned allocations shows how much income is still unassigned.
Savings and debt allocations are uses of income here. Transfers between your own accounts should be counted once to avoid double-counting.
The working tab keeps editable inputs separate from formulas, with room for 60 records. The Notes tab explains the method and how to extend the range. All example records are fictional and can be replaced. Download a workbook format to retain formulas, or CSV when you need calculated values only.
What’s inside
- Remaining allocation equals planned amount less actual spending. The income control in B8 less total planned allocations shows how much income is still unassigned.
- 60 prepared record rows with blank-row guards
- Blue input cells, typed dates and numbers, and frozen column headers
- Notes with the method, assumptions, and range-extension instructions
Which tabs does the workbook have?
| Tab | What it holds |
|---|---|
| Worksheet | Assign monthly income to spending, savings, and debt categories, then compare each allocation with actual spending. |
| Notes | How to use the workbook, formula method, assumptions, and file format limits. |
What formulas does this template use?
This template holds 63 formulas in 111 cells across 2 tabs, so 57% of its cells calculate. They use 8 distinct functions; the longest formula is 135 characters.
| Function | Uses | What it does |
|---|---|---|
IF | 122 | one result when a test is true, another when false |
COUNT | 60 | counts numeric cells |
COUNTIF | 4 | counts cells meeting one condition |
SUM | 2 | adds numbers |
COUNTA | 1 | counts non-empty cells |
ISNUMBER | 1 | true for a number |
NOT | 1 | reverses true and false |
OR | 1 | true when any test is true |
Counted from the workbook itself. Only functions that Excel, LibreOffice Calc, Google Sheets and Apple Numbers evaluate the same way are used, so the formulas survive every download format.
How do you use it?
- Replace the fictional records in blue cells with your own data. Keep the dark formula cells.
- Set monthly income (usd) in B8.
- Read the calculated columns and inspect the results before using them. Clear unused input rows; keep their formulas.
- The prepared range holds 60 records in rows 11–70. Extend formulas and summary ranges together if you add more rows.
What is it good for?
- Assign monthly income to spending, savings, and debt categories, then compare each allocation with actual spending
- Replacing the labeled fictional records with your own figures
- Checking a calculation before adapting it to a larger workbook
Questions about this sheet
How is the result calculated?
Remaining allocation equals planned amount less actual spending. The income control in B8 less total planned allocations shows how much income is still unassigned.
What assumptions should I check?
Savings and debt allocations are uses of income here. Transfers between your own accounts should be counted once to avoid double-counting.
Can I add more than 60 records?
Yes. Copy the formula columns into new rows and extend every summary range to include them. Keep inputs and formulas in their original columns.
Are the example records real?
No. All example data is fictional and intended to demonstrate the formulas. Replace it before using the workbook for your own work.