I’ve always used a Google spreadsheet for tracking bills, but I need to start budgeting better now that our finances have improved. I want something basic and easy to use that helps me plan how to pay and save without tracking every penny. What do you recommend?
Consider customizing a Google Doc template for zero-based budgeting. Also, check if your bank offers a budgeting program to help categorize expenses.
For budgeting, I’d recommend YNAB for a paid option or Keencents for a free offline tool. Both offer solid budgeting methods.
Actual Budget is a cheaper alternative to YNAB, but offers similar functionalities.
Try Heron! It’s simple and designed for users who want an easy budgeting experience. Check it out at https://heron.money.
I recommend Monarch; it automates your budget once you set it up, and you can check it out here.
Using Google Sheets can still be effective. Write out an annual budget, list your income, and subtract fixed expenses to allocate money to your goals.
If you prefer not to track every past expense, consider using graphical-budget-planner for a simple forecasting approach.
Ramit Sethi’s Conscious Spending Plan is a great simple spreadsheet that focuses on larger spending categories without getting bogged down in details.