Budget with No Stress Finances
A simple home budget is the key to a Financially stable home. First of all download our simple home budgeting spreadsheet (Requires Adobe Reader) or Try our FREE Online Budget Planner (This page opens in a new window).
Below are the instructions to accompany the "No Stress finances Budget
Spreadsheet"
Instructions
Important ! All values entered into this budget planner must be a set period of time. For example if you enter your income on a monthly basis all other expenses must be calculated monthly also. Before you go to far if you are having any difficulties contact us and we will assist you with getting started.
Income 1 and 2
This area should include you and your partners income. note that if your income fluctuates enter the highest value that you are sure to achieve. any residual income above this amount can be used as a kick start to your savings or debt reduction plans.
Extra Income
This value should include:
Total Income
This Value is automatically calculated if the spreadsheet is opened in Microsoft excel. For those printing this spreadsheet Total income is the sum of income 1,2 and extra income.
Important ! All values entered into this budget planner must be a set period of time. For example if you enter your income on a monthly basis all other expenses must be calculated monthly also. Before you go to far if you are having any difficulties contact us and we will assist you with getting started.
Income
Income 1 and 2
This area should include you and your partners income. note that if your income fluctuates enter the highest value that you are sure to achieve. any residual income above this amount can be used as a kick start to your savings or debt reduction plans.
Extra Income
This value should include:
- Child support/Government allowances
- Income From rental properties
- Any income covered in our Extra income section.
Total Income
This Value is automatically calculated if the spreadsheet is opened in Microsoft excel. For those printing this spreadsheet Total income is the sum of income 1,2 and extra income.
Expenses
At the end of each Expenses box you will find a box titled "Subtotals" for those that download the excel style spreadsheet this will be entered automatically. If not add the totals of each item in the box and insert your "subtotal"
Household
Mortgage or RentThis value should include your mortgage or rent repayments for the property that you currently live in. (remember to calculate this value to match the frequency set by your income)
Second Mortgage or Rent
Use this value for the Mortgage repayments for your investment property or for the Rent of items such as storage sheds Etc.
Phone
This value should include the total amount for home telephones and mobile/Cell phone Bills. (For information on how to calculate the amount required to pay per income period, See our section on Bill Control)
Electricity
This value should include the total of your Electricity bills for the household. and your partners income. (For information on how to calculate the amount required to pay per income period, See our section on Bill Control)
Gas
If you Receive a bill for Gas supplied to your home enter the value here if not leave this section blank. (For information on how to calculate the amount required to pay per income period, See our section on Bill Control)
Water and Sewer
In some Countries households are required to pay for water supplied and sewer removed. If you receive a bill for this enter the value here or leave blank. (For information on how to calculate the amount required to pay per income period, See our section on Bill Control)
Cable
This value should include Cable television services and Internet services provided if they are on the same bill, If not include your Internet Service in the "other" section. See below. (For information on how to calculate the amount required to pay per income period, See our section on Bill Control)
Waste Removal
If you are billed separately from your property tax/rates for waste removal, enter the cost for this service here. If not leave this section blank. (For information on how to calculate the amount required to pay per income period, See our section on Bill Control)
Maintenance or repairs
Use this area to allow for service for your household these may include but are not limited to:
- Plumbers
- Electricians
- Carpenters
- Paints and hardware for you to DIY
This value has been left for you to add anything else that you regularly spend on your household. If you find something that we may have missed in this section contact us and let us know.
Transport
Vehicle 1 and 2 Payments
This value is only for the repayment of monies for financed or leased vehicles. For tips on reducing this amount see our section on debt control.
Bus/Taxi Fare
There may be a member of the family who regularly catches a bus to work or school and a taxi is something that is used by most families on occasion we need to add these values into our budget. and you guessed it! Enter these values here.
Insurance
This value should only reflect the amount paid for Vehicle insurance.
Licensing
this should include both registration for your vehicles and renewal or drivers licenses. (also include boats and trailers here if they are owned/registered)
Fuel
It may be that you have to add a log book to each vehicle for a month or two to really assess how much fuel costs your household. If in doubt over estimate.
Maintenance
Vehicle maintenance is very important as it a well maintained vehicle is not only safer to drive but is cheaper to run over the long term. Price services for your vehicle/s and use this amount to identify a fair value for this section of the budget.
Other
This value has been left for you to add anything else that you regularly spend on Transport. If you find something that we may have missed in this section contact us and let us know.
Insurance
Home
Home and Contents insurance is very important in times of trouble. Enter the cost of your Home/Contents insurance premium here and don't forget to save a little to cover your excess.
Health
There are many different forms of insurance but health insurance is probably the most important. In some countries in the world treatment cannot be obtained in an emergency without some form of medical insurance. enter the cost to you in this area
Life
Life insurance is of little use to you, however it can provide for your loved ones when you can't. enter the cost of your premium here.
Other
This value has been left for you to add anything else that you regularly spend on Insurance. If you find something that we may have missed in this section contact us and let us know.
Food
Groceries
See our section on Shopping Secrets to get this value as low as possible. Once your done enter the amount you spend on Groceries in this column
Dining out
Every now and then it is a great reward for sticking to our budget to go out for dinner. allow enough in this column to take your partner or family out to dinner once or twice a month.
Other
This value has been left for you to add anything else that you regularly spend on Food. If you find something that we may have missed in this section contact us and let us know.
To be continued......
If the completion of this page is of an urgent nature to you contact us and we can email you our draft copy.
"Money
can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of
misery."
Spike Milligan.