Free Budget Printable for Bi-Weekly Paychecks
Keep track of your monthly expenses using this free bi-weekly budget printable. Track how much money you have coming in and going out each pay period in order to meet those financial goals!
Today’s free printable goes along with the other free budgeting resources I’ve been putting together. It’s part of my effort to have all sorts of freebies to create a DIY monthly budget planner.
Personally, I love planners. And oddly enough, I love creating budgets. I know, I know…I’m a really fun person. However, I’ve found it difficult to find a planner that has exactly what I need. Which is why I’m trying to create a variety of printable options.
So, in this post I have a biweekly budget planner. It is perfect for those who receive bi-weekly paychecks or a semi-monthly paycheck. It has a minimalist design, which means it can work for a wide range of people. Let’s check it out and get you set up with your free budget template!
Affiliate disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate this means I will earn a small commission if you choose to purchase through my links. This is at no extra cost to you! Read full disclosure here.
How to Use a Bi-Weekly Budget Template
This simple and straightforward layout is perfect for keeping track of your expenses.
The first step in setting up your personal budget is to write down the your expected net income (AKA take-home pay). You’ll simply write that amount in next to the appropriate pay cycel. You can also document the date received (more on why this is helpful soon).
Next, you can write out your expense categories. There is a section for bills due and another section for “other expenses”. Be sure to consider due dates so you can decide which pay period that expense will be deducted from.
In the bills due section you are going to put things like car payments or utility bills. Next, list out your other or variable expenses in the second column. I’ve left this area blank so you can fill it in with the different categories applicable to you. You may list out things like groceries, gas, or a budget for special occasions.
Lastly, at the bottom, you have a quick recap. You’ll take you total income minus total expenses. The difference is how much extra money you have left.
You may need to roll a portion of those funds over to the next pay period to cover bills due then. Or maybe you’ll be moving those funds to your savings account. Scroll down for the best tips to make your budget work and get your printable!
Great Tips for a Great Budget
Check Due Dates
Since we’re talking about making a bi weekly paycheck budget, be sure that you’re assigning expenses based on pay periods. It may be helpful to use this free bill tracking log as a master bill list.
You can quickly see when each bill or expense is due. This allows you to see which pay period it should be paid from.
Be Realistic
It’s important when setting an amount of money for budget categories, that you are realistic. For example, don’t budget $100 for a weekly groceries if there’s just no way that can happen.
Take a look at your bank statements and see what your actual spending has been. Base your monthly budgeting on those amounts. Of course, you can always lessen it some if you’re needing to set back. But make sure it’s an attainable amount.
Make Budgeting Fun
Okay, maybe this seems like a stretch for you. But like I mentioned, I love planners and planning. And some cute office supplies totally makes this more enjoyable. Here’s a few of my favorite planning supplies.
- Mr. Pen Pens – I love the way these pens write and the matte finish on then.
- Mr. Pen Highlighters – Color coding your budget with highlights is practical and fun. Color code by categories and make your budget pages prettier.
- Pretty Binder – Using a 3-ring binder with a cover you love it perfect for creating your own DIY planner. These binder covers are just some of the beautiful options out there.
Don’t Forget Subscriptions
Those little monthly subscription items can really add up and tank a budget. Especially when they’re set up on auto-pay. Think about things like Netflix, Amazon & gym memberships.
Remember those Annual Expenses
Even though certain expenses only come around once a year, you may need to set aside a little money on a monthly basis. When the annual bill comes in, you’ll already have a head start on the funds needed.
To determine how much to set aside, divide the annual amount by 12 months. Write that amount into your budget worksheet as an expense. You can even divide it by 24 months if you’re needing to
Follow a Zero-Based Budget
This simply means that you don’t leave any money unaccounted for. So, when you get to the end of your expenses and there’s money left – do something with it!
Move it to your emergency fund, pay down on debt, opt for a date night. How you choose to use that surplus is going to based on your specific goals and needs. The main thing is that you don’t just leave it there, unaccounted for.
Knowing exactly where your money is going is a great way to be set up for financial success.
Get Your Printable Monthly Budget Sheets Here!
Print as many copies of this paycheck budget sheet as you need – just remember that they are for personal use only.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR FREE BI-WEEKLY BUDGET PRINTABLE
