Zero-based budget · Household spreadsheet

Do you know where this month’s money is going?

Zero-based budget means you plan this month’s whole paycheck until the remaining amount is zero. Bills, food, then extra on debt. Nothing left unplanned. Which card or bill should get the extra payment? When might you actually be done with debt?

Payoff is a zero-based budgeting tool for personal finances, in one Excel or Google Sheets file. You list income and spending until the remaining amount is zero. Extra money goes to the smallest debt first. When that one is paid off, the extra rolls to the next. The file shows a month you might be debt-free. Works on your phone. Sample numbers are in. Type over them.

I want this — $6 Formulas only. No app. No login.
Dashboard spreadsheet tab: remaining money this month, which debt to pay extra on, and a date you might be done. Sample numbers.
Dashboard · sample numbers
$6Once. No monthly fee.
Excel · SheetsFormulas only. No app. No login.
Smallest firstExtra goes to one debt until it is paid.

What’s inside

One file. Your household. Working formulas.

It opens with sample numbers so you can see how it works. Type over them with yours.

  1. 01

    Dashboard

    This month’s money, which debt to attack, months left, a date you might be done.

  2. 02

    Budget

    Income and spending. Plan this month until the remaining amount is zero. Extra already goes to the smallest debt. Red means you planned too much.

  3. 03

    Debts + payoff plan

    Smallest balance first. Pay every minimum. Extra goes to one debt until it is paid off, then that payment rolls. A short list of when each debt might be paid off, plus a month-by-month estimate.

  4. 04

    Bills

    Name, website, due day, typical amount. Not passwords. Not logins.

  5. 05

    How To, Disclaimer, and blank pages

    How To, Disclaimer, and blank Budget and Debts pages so you can start clean if you want.

How it works

Type over the samples. The plan updates.

  1. 1
    Type your name and the month. Open the file in Excel or Google Sheets. Sample numbers are already in.
  2. 2
    List income and spending until the remaining amount is zero. Bills, food, then extra on debt. Red means you planned too much.
  3. 3
    List every debt. Pay every minimum. Put extra on Attack this. Smallest balance first. Extra goes to one debt until it is paid off, then that payment rolls.
  4. 4
    Fill Bills: websites and due days — not passwords. Name, website, due day, typical amount. Not logins.
  5. 5
    Read the date. Next month, type the new balances. The plan updates. A month you might be debt-free is on the Dashboard.

Who this is for

A plain spreadsheet, not another app.

For you if

People with debt who want a plain spreadsheet, not another app. If you can type in a box, you can use this.

  • You want a zero-based plan of this month’s paycheck
  • Extra should go to the smallest debt first
  • You would rather own a file than pay for another login

Not for you if

This will not replace a lender, a CPA, or a bank-grade calculator.

  • Anyone who wants a bank-grade loan calculator
  • Teams, apps, or a shared login
  • Anyone looking for money, tax, or legal advice
  • People who want pretty themes more than working formulas

One time

$6

One file. Your household.

$6. Do not resell it as a template. The files stay on your computer.

I want this — $6

This workbook is not financial advice. The payoff dates are estimates. Interest is simple math, not your lender’s math. If you are behind on a house, a car, or any loan they can take back, talk to the lender before you change what you pay.

Payoff: Household Budget Spreadsheet $6 · once
I want this