If you’ve ever opened a budgeting app and felt completely overwhelmed… you’re not alone. Most people don’t need complicated finance software — they need something flexible, clean, and designed to actually use.
That’s where this post comes in.
I’ve created a Monthly Budget Template for both Notion and Google Sheets — simple enough to start today, powerful enough to track your goals. Whether you prefer typing on a laptop or organizing your finances in a minimalist dashboard, you’ll find something that works for you here.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
-
Why a monthly budget is a game changer
-
Which tool to choose (Notion vs. Sheets)
-
How the templates are structured
-
Step-by-step setup
-
A free download to get started instantly
Contents
💡 Why Use a Monthly Budget?
A monthly budget does more than track numbers — it gives you clarity, control, and confidence.
With a monthly budget, you can:
-
Know exactly where your money is going
-
Avoid overspending on “small stuff” that adds up
-
Create a plan for savings, debt, and goals
-
Build a real foundation for financial freedom
Even if you only track your expenses once a week, a monthly system gives you a bird’s-eye view of your habits.
🧰 Notion vs. Google Sheets — Which One Should You Use?
Both are great tools, but they serve different personalities.
🧠 Use Notion if:
-
You love clean, aesthetic dashboards
-
You want to track goals, reflections, and habits in one place
-
You’re already using Notion for journaling, planning, or to-dos
-
You want to combine budget tracking with lifestyle management
📊 Use Google Sheets if:
-
You want full control over numbers and formulas
-
You prefer classic spreadsheet tracking
-
You love seeing exact calculations and totals
-
You’re used to Excel-style planning
TL;DR — use Notion if you’re visual and flexible; use Sheets if you’re data-driven and analytical.
📁 What’s Inside the Templates?
🔹 Monthly Budget Template – Google Sheets Version
-
Income Section: Enter multiple income sources (salary, side hustles, etc.)
-
Fixed Expenses: Rent, insurance, subscriptions
-
Variable Expenses: Groceries, gas, dining out
-
Savings Goals: Emergency fund, sinking funds, travel
-
Debt Payments: Credit cards, student loans, etc.
-
Automated Totals: See your surplus/deficit at a glance
All cells are editable, color-coded, and come with pre-filled examples you can delete or modify.
🔸 Monthly Budget Template – Notion Version
-
Dashboard View: Clean and minimalist
-
Budget Categories Database: Income, expenses, savings, etc.
-
Rollups & Linked Views: Totals by month, category, and goal
-
Progress Bars: Visualize how close you are to your goals
-
Monthly Journal & Notes: Reflect on your spending habits
It’s a full-budget workspace in one neat dashboard.
🛠️ How to Set It Up (Step by Step)
For Google Sheets:
-
Download the file and make a copy into your own Google Drive
-
Edit the income section with your actual sources
-
Fill in fixed and variable expenses (you can add rows)
-
Add any monthly savings/debt goals
-
The sheet will calculate:
-
Total income
-
Total expenses
-
Leftover balance
-
-
Update weekly or bi-weekly to stay on track
For Notion:
-
Duplicate the Notion template into your workspace
-
Update the current month at the top of the dashboard
-
Add or rename budget categories
-
Use the “+ Add” button to log transactions weekly
-
Watch the dashboard update in real time
-
Add reflections or notes in the journal section at the bottom
📈 Pro Tips to Make It Stick
1. Set a Weekly Budgeting Ritual
Choose a consistent day (e.g., every Sunday) to review your budget, update expenses, and check your goals. It only takes 10–15 minutes once you’re in the habit.
2. Add Automation
In Google Sheets, you can connect apps like Tiller or use formulas to auto-import bank data. In Notion, add recurring reminders or embed savings goal trackers.
3. Make It Visual
Customize the template with icons, colors, or quotes that make you want to open it.
4. Involve Your Partner (if applicable)
Share the Google Sheet or Notion page with your partner if you’re budgeting as a couple. Transparency helps avoid arguments and sets shared goals.
5. Celebrate Milestones
Hit your savings target? Paid off a credit card? Mark the win in your journal or with a small treat. Progress is motivation.
📊 Real-Life Example: How I Use Both
Here’s how I personally use each version:
-
Google Sheets is my “financial HQ” — I check totals, track net worth, and do precise math
-
Notion is my budget reflection space — I journal spending habits, set goals, and stay mindful
Together, they give me structure + awareness — and that’s why I stick to budgeting long-term.
📥 Free Download: Monthly Budget Templates
You’ll get both templates — ready to use.
📎 Download the Monthly Budget Template – Google Sheets
📎 Download the Monthly Budget Template – Notion
The Notion version includes a printable PDF preview + instructions for duplicating the live dashboard.
🧠 Final Thoughts
You don’t need fancy tools or expensive software to take control of your money. A good system is one you’ll actually stick with.
Whether you’re a spreadsheet fan or a Notion nerd, what matters is consistency. Budgeting is a habit, not a punishment. It’s how you build freedom, one line item at a time.
Choose your format, download the templates, and get started. You’ll be shocked at how good it feels to know where your money’s going — and what to do next.