Ryan Lowe's "Excel Family Budget: Excel as a Planning Tool"
Read the following text and view the video tutorial, "Excel Family Budget." Also download the sample file if you find it helpful.
The image below is a simplified example of a family budget through August. Each column (vertical) represents an entire month. Each row (horizontal) represents an expense in the budget. Notice there are repeated expenses that are the same for each month, but the vacation expense is entered in only one month. Also, some expenses may vary, as indicated with the Heat-A/C. The bottom line is the total for each month.
In the example, what do you notice about the first column and first row? Look at cell D4. What does this number represent?
Excel is an amazing application (arguably the best that Microsoft has ever made). Families should consider making family budgets to help gauge their income and what expenses they should plan for. Our country is going through some very interesting financial times and sometimes just simply organizing our finances can help motivate us and every family unit. Personally, I have a much more complicated sheet that I will share at some-point that is built better for scale (over many years).
Excel as a Tool for Planning
This quick video shows how you can quickly setup a family budget. Using this software application you can really help organize and plan your finances.
Sample Excel File Download
Feel free to start your own family budget with this free Excel file for download: Excel Family Budget (.XLS, automatic download).