The Lazy SaverUK budget spreadsheet (Google Sheets & Excel): what it needs
Updated 14 October 2026 · 4-minute read · UK
Most free templates are American: dollars, "paychecks" and no council tax. A UK budget spreadsheet should match how you're actually paid and billed.
Must-haves for a UK budget sheet
- A payday-to-payday budget, not 1st–31st
- The tax year (6 April to 5 April) so the year lines up with payslips and P60s
- UK bill lines: council tax, the TV licence, car tax, MOT, insurance renewals
- Bills at any frequency (weekly, monthly, annual) turned into a monthly cost
- Sinking funds with a per-payday amount
- A debt plan with a debt-free date
Keep it lazy
Spreadsheets die when they're a chore. Use broad categories, update weekly from your banking app, and make sure formulas are protected so a stray keystroke can't break them.
A 6-page printable with a payday bill calendar, subscription hit-list and a 30-day challenge. Free by email.
Get the free plannerGoogle Sheets vs Excel
Google Sheets is free and works on your phone. Excel is great if you already have it. A good template works in both: upload an .xlsx to Google Drive and open it in Sheets.
Our 20-second UK calculator adds up takeaways, unused subscriptions and not switching. The yearly total is usually a shock.
Try the calculator →UK Budget Tracker (£9.99): an automatic Excel/Google Sheets budget built on UK paydays. Built for UK paydays and the 2026/27 tax year. Instant download.
See it in the shop →FAQ
Is there a free UK budget template?
Yes. Our free printable planner is a good start, and Google Sheets has basic templates. Look for one with payday periods and UK bills.
Does a budget spreadsheet work on a phone?
Yes, in the Google Sheets app. Weekly updates are easier on a laptop, though.
Why do budget spreadsheets fail?
Too many categories and daily logging. Keep it broad and check in once a week.