Just another Budget Spreadsheet

I wanted to share something I’ve been working on. I’ve updated my budget spreadsheet for 2025, and it’s free! I call it Foresight because it forecasts accounts based on your income and finances, plus it can help you reconcile individual transactions from your projected numbers. It also works with multiple accounts, which is super helpful. One method I like to use with it is the anti-budget, where I send a lump sum into a secondary account every week to manage variable expenses like haircuts, gas, food, and shopping. This approach helps me see how today’s habits will affect my finances in the future—up to two years! Here are some reasons I really enjoy using this system, and maybe they’ll resonate with you: I love understanding how my financial decisions impact my accounts over time—not just in the present but in the future as well. When I prioritize paying off debt, this system helps me visualize both the pressure of owing money and the relief of paying it off. It even allows me to use credit card points for budgeting. I can schedule specific expenses to go on a credit card and see the payments update to reflect my current month’s expenses. It’s all about understanding cash flow. I’ve been refining this system for several years, and it’s been the most hands-off financial improvement strategy I’ve found that actually works for me. Having a visual way to see everything has really motivated me and my partner to stick to a budget. I know this template may look complex at first, but I promise that spending some time with it will reveal its unique features compared to other sheets. And it’s free because I believe financial stability shouldn’t come with a price tag. I’d love to hear any feedback you might have, and I hope everyone has a fantastic year ahead!

u/ThinkingSnoo: This sounds interesting! How does it compare to simpler budget spreadsheets? I’m curious about the complexity you mentioned.

Rex said:
u/ThinkingSnoo: This sounds interesting! How does it compare to simpler budget spreadsheets? I’m curious about the complexity you mentioned.

u/YZA: Great question! While it is more complex, the extra features are designed to give you a deeper understanding of your finances. A simple spreadsheet might just track income and expenses, but Foresight helps you project future trends and manage multiple accounts efficiently.

@Pax
u/ABCD: That does sound useful. Do you have any tips for getting started with it? I usually struggle with more complex systems.

Zion said:
@Pax
u/ABCD: That does sound useful. Do you have any tips for getting started with it? I usually struggle with more complex systems.

u/YZA: Absolutely! I recommend spending some time familiarizing yourself with the functions, maybe start with tracking just a month’s worth of expenses. Gradually incorporate more features as you feel comfortable. Take it slow, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions!