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Free Personal Budget Tracker
A Google Sheets template built around the 50/30/20 rule — with a debt payoff tracker, savings goal planner, and the latest Fed rate data built in.
Free. No app required. Works in Google Sheets and Excel.
What’s in the template
- Tab 1: Monthly Budget — income, needs (target 50%), wants (target 30%), savings (target 20%). Automatic totals and surplus/deficit calculation.
- Tab 2: 50/30/20 Dashboard — colour-coded dials showing where your spending lands vs. the rule. Instant visual feedback.
- Tab 3: Debt Payoff Tracker — enter balances and APR. Auto-calculates payoff date using both avalanche (save most money) and snowball (build momentum) methods.
- Tab 4: Savings Goal Tracker — set targets, log contributions, see months-to-goal automatically.
The numbers that matter right now
| Rate | Current | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Fed Funds Rate | 3.63% | High-yield savings accounts track this closely |
| Best HYSA APY | ~4.5–5.0% | $10k earns ~$480/year vs. $50 at a standard bank |
| Avg credit card APR | 22.76% | $1,000 balance = $228/year in interest if carried |
| US savings rate | 3.60% | Well below the recommended 20% — room to improve |
Sources: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED), Federal Reserve G.19 Consumer Credit Report, 2026.
The 50/30/20 Rule — Quick Reference
| Category | Target | What counts |
|---|---|---|
| Needs | 50% | Rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, minimum debt payments |
| Wants | 30% | Dining, entertainment, subscriptions, non-essential shopping |
| Savings / Debt | 20% | Emergency fund, retirement (401k/IRA), extra debt payments |
Data sources: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) · Federal Reserve G.19 Consumer Credit Report · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI