5 Reasons to Use Free Printable Budget Worksheet Templates

Are you ready to take control of your finances? Here are 5 reasons you should use free printable budget worksheet templates!

5 Reasons to Use Free Printable Budget Worksheet Templates

If you want to take control of your family’s finances, there are few better (and easier!) places to start than with simple budget worksheet templates. Oh, I’m sorry, you can’t budget because why? Don’t even try it! As a financial professional, frugal blogger, and total numbers nerd who is always trying to help her friends and family save a buck, I’ve heard every excuse in the book. Seriously. Every single one.

Many people think budgeting is both intimidating and boring and I’m not going to lie, it’s not the most exciting thing you will ever do, but guess what… you’re an adult! As adults we do things that aren’t riveting every day. While budgeting may seem confusing and uninteresting, the truth is using a free printable budget worksheet could change your life! (Yep, seriously. 🙂 )

You can find all sorts of free budget worksheets online, but there’s no need to go on an epic quest. Shortly, I’ll share several free monthly budget worksheets with you. You’ll get access to both budget worksheets Excel and PDF files so you can opt for whichever is most convenient for you.

Still not ready to put my free printable budget worksheet templates to good use? Stick around! I’m sure I can convince you. In fact here are 5 excellent reasons to use these free printable budget worksheet templates.

#1 – Budget Worksheet Templates Force You to Think about Your Finances

Do you know how much money you have in your checking and savings accounts? Do you know how much money you need each month to cover your bills and expenses? If you answered “No,” you’re not alone.

According to Business Insider, 61% of Americans don’t budget or keep track of their finances. That’s pretty scary… and frankly, financially dangerous. Money and finances should not be dealt with in an out-of-sight out-of-mind manner. One of the best reasons to use these budget worksheets online is to simply get you and your spouse thinking about your finances.

If you’re one of the 61% of Americans mentioned above, just acknowledging that you have financial obligations is a big step forward. It really is. You can utilize a simple monthly household budget worksheet to document where your family is right now in terms of income, expenses, and financial goals and get the conversation started.

Don’t wait, take the first step toward seizing your financial future by downloading one of these free printable budget worksheets. Choose from 3 cute designs and budget worksheets Excel and PDF files.

Bonus: You’ll also find a great Christmas shopping budget worksheet and an event planning budget worksheet!

With those free monthly budget worksheets, you write your expenses down the left-hand side. If you’re looking for a monthly household budget worksheet that requires even less thought (because the expenses are already written in for you) be sure to check out this household budget worksheet online.

#2 – Budget Worksheet Templates Can Help You Spot Abnormalities

Everyone makes mistakes. Even credit card and utility companies. Utilizing a free monthly budget worksheet can help you identify any abnormalities or mistakes. This is especially true when you compare your expenses month over month and year over year. For example, what if your electric bill jumps 50% in a single month and is significantly higher than the same time last year? It’s time to start digging and asking questions! However, if you’re not budgeting and monitoring your finances, would you even notice the increase?

Many budget worksheets Excel and PDF files require you to create a new sheet for each month. However, you can use this monthly household budget worksheet to track a year’s worth of data on one page.

Another way to spot issues, abnormalities (ex. identity theft) and mistakes is by keeping an eye on your credit score. Learn how to check and fix your credit score here.

#3 – Budget Worksheet Templates Can Stop Overspending

If you don’t budget, then you don’t know exactly where your money is going. Don’t deny it.

Free printable budget worksheets can change that. They’ll help you identify where your income is going and spot trends. For example, perhaps you spend $20 a week on coffee during the school year because you’re in such a rush to get out the door.

Identifying those trends allows you to make changes. You can stop overspending and save money toward your family’s financial goals, whatever they may be.

#4 – Budget Worksheet Templates Can Help You Avoid Debt

So far, we’ve discussed how budgeting can help you spot abnormalities in your bills and trends which may allow you to save money/stop overspending. However, budget worksheets online can do even more! They can actually help you avoid debt.

By documenting all of your expense (and analyzing them on a regular basis), you’ll be able to anticipate upcoming expenses and avoid having to charge items on your credit card, dip into your emergency fund, or borrow money.

I highly recommend creating a comprehensive list of expenses, documenting even those bills that are only semi-annual. That way you can easily see when money will be needed. A great example of a once-in-a-while expense is property taxes (if they aren’t included in your mortgage payment). Add these types of odd expenses to your free monthly budget worksheet so they don’t sneak up on you!

Already in debt thanks to overlooked or unexpected expenses? Here’s how to get out of debt once and for all.

#5 – Budget Worksheet Templates Can Reduce Anxiety

According to CBS, 65% of Americans loose sleep at night over financial concerns. We also know (see above) that 61% of Americans don’t budget or track their finances. Coincidence? I think not.

While simply understanding your financial situation won’t ensure you stay debt-free, it will most likely make you feel more confident. Think about it. Would you rather know that you’re $5,000 in debt or have absolutely no idea whether or not you’re in debt… until you get denied a car loan, mortgage, or job? The unknown is scary.

Using a free printable budget worksheet template removes the unknown.

These are just 5 great reasons to start using free printable budget worksheet templates today! To help you stay organized and on track, I highly recommend snagging this free printable budget binder as well.

If your interested in even more reasons to budget and ways to take control of your finances be sure to grab a copy of my eBook, Secrets of a Successful Family CFO.

Here’s to a financially fabulous 2018!