![]() If you set up your budget categories the same in the spreadsheet and whatever budget software you are using, you can use the software to generate reports and then enter the amounts into your budget calculator spreadsheet. Generally, people use Quicken or other software to keep a record of transactions. Use formulas like "=23+12+43" to add amounts from your various receipts. ![]() Add cell comments as needed to explain the purchases. Step 5: Enter Actual Income and Expenses. Make sure to maintain a good cushion in your spending account to handle these variable expenses. For groceries, especially, it's good to use the past 3-6 months. To calculate an average, you can find the total for the past 3 months and divide the value by 3. Enter an average monthly value for Variable Expenses (monthly expenses that change from month to month, like groceries). For example, if you are planning to spend $600 for Christmas, then put away $50 each month into a special savings account, and budget $50 each month in the Christmas category. That way, the balances in your spending accounts will more closely match the balance shown in the ACTUAL column each month. If you are using the averaging approach, I strongly recommend that you use a special savings account as a holding place for these larger expenses. Include Irregular Expenses (non-monthly large lump payments) in the months in which they will likely occur, or use the approach of averaging the cost across each month. For example, enter the names of Birthdays in comments for the Gifts Given category. This is one of the benefits of using a spreadsheet. Cell comments show up as little red triangles, like the one to the left. Add cell comments as needed to help explain costs. So yes, you could probably get away with a single category for all "Entertainment", but I certainly wouldn't lump regular expenses in with variable expenses. Breaking out your expenses into specific categories will help give you a better idea of where you are spending and therefore where you may be able to cut back. If you have multiple savings goals, add a sub-category for each one. If you have a negative NET, then you'll need to cut back somewhere or earn more money. If you have extra (a Positive NET value), then you could allocate that to savings or paying off debt for example. When creating your budget, you would generally want to make the NET (Income-Expenses) equal to zero. There is a lot of information about this step inside the budget calculator Instructions worksheet, including the following:īudget Guideline #1 - Total Allocation or "It All Goes Somewhere" Step 3: Modify the Month labels as needed, depending on when you are starting your budget. Remember the note about copying/inserting entire rows. Step 2: Edit, Add, or Delete sub-categories as needed. ![]() ![]() This will usually be the sum of the balances in your spending account(s). Step 1: Enter your Current Balance as of Month 1. Please read through the instructions before asking me questions about how to use the budget calculator. Instructions: I've included a fairly extensive set of instructions and tips in the Instructions worksheet. Easy to edit/add/remove budget sub-categories (major categories not so easy, but doable).Fairly comprehensive list of budget categories.Calculates the Percentage (%) of Income for each major expense category.Actual spending for each month and each major budget category. Calculates the difference between Budgeted and Actual expenses on a monthly basis.To get things started, we've made some choices for you, based on a survey of Bab圜enter parents and our research. Our calculator will help you figure out what you're likely to spend during your baby's first year, from burp cloths and bibs to childcare and car seats. Prices change a lot depending on where you shop and whether you're getting certain baby supplies (like diapers and wipes) in bulk, for example. We've also gathered average costs for baby gear and must-haves, but they're just estimates. Note: We used national estimates for childcare, formula, and diapers – but these costs differ significantly based on where you live and what you need (for example, your baby may require a special type of baby formula). Change our selections to customize this tool for yourself. To get things started, we've made some choices for you, based on a survey of Bab圜enter parents and our editors' research. Still, this Baby Costs Calculator can help you get a good idea of how much you're likely to spend during your baby's first year. There's no exact answer – the cost of having a baby depends on where you live, whether you'll pay for childcare, what your health insurance covers, what baby products you choose, and other factors.
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