Monthly Budget Planner

Description

Monthly business budget planner for Excel

Start by checking that each transaction is in the right category and reporting month. Compare the largest differences between plan and actuals, then decide which costs are recurring, seasonal, or one-time. Check whether your next month’s spending caps reflect upcoming bills before increasing a category based on a single month’s result.

Inputs and reporting views

• Budget targets. Plan monthly spending by category
• Income and expenses. Record dated transactions
• Variance. Compare the category budget with actual spending
• Cash movement. Review the income and spending trend across months

How to use it

1. Set targets for regular expenses such as software, suppliers, payroll, and marketing. Record dated income and expenses so the reporting month reflects when money moved. Review categories consistently to make comparisons useful.
2. Compare income with expenses, planned costs with actual costs, and net cash flow across months. Look for categories over budget even when total spending stays below plan. Use the difference to decide what to change next month.

Worked example

November spending is $520 below plan overall

Actual expenses of $8,230 are below the $8,750 budget. Software still exceeds its $600 target by $120, so review the category before resetting next month’s targets.

Software can exceed its target while marketing remains under budget. Review whether software was a one-time charge or a recurring cost before changing next month’s category targets.

Who it’s for

Owners, freelancers, and consultants who review spending and cash flow monthly.

Frequently asked questions

What is budget remaining?

It is the difference between the planned amount and actual expense for the period or category.

When should I use Monthly Cash Flow instead?

Choose Monthly Cash Flow when the decision depends on when specific receipts and bills clear and how much cash remains.

Related workbook: Expense and Receipt Tracker. For product or compatibility questions, contact CoreVision Media.