Budget worksheet

Use this budget worksheet to get you started

Step 1
My income each week (after tax)
If your income is once every two weeks, divide by 2
Wages or salary $
Work and Income payments
(include benefit payments and any extra help such as the Accommodation Supplement, Temporary Additional Support, Disability Allowance, etc).
Call us free on 0800 559 009 if you don't know what your payments are.		 $
Payments from Inland Revenue
(such as Working for Families Tax Credits or Child Support)		 $
Other income
(such as interest or dividends, rent or board payments)		 $
Total income each week
(add all amounts)		 Box A $
Step 2
My costs each week
If your costs are once every two weeks, divide by 2
Groceries
(include groceries you buy separately from your weekly shopping such as milk and bread)		 $
Rent or board $
Transport fares or petrol $
Spending money (such as cigarettes and entertainment) $
Child Support payments $
Weekly debt payments (include benefit debts and hire purchases) $
Other costs (such as donations and children's pocket money) $
Total costs each week
(add all amounts)		 Box B $
Step 3
My costs each month
Mortgage $
Power $
Gas $
Phone
(include mobile and toll costs)		 $
Insurances
(include vehicle, house, contents, life and medical)		 $
Credit and store card payments $
Monthly debt payments
(include personal loans and hire purchases)		 $
Bank fees $
Rental of goods
(such as computer, TV and washing machine)		 $
Add all amounts, times by 12 and divide by 52 Box C $
Step 4
My costs each year
If your costs are once every six months, times by 2
Rates (include water rates if any) $
House maintenance
(such as lawns, repairs and renovations)		 $
Vehicle costs
(include registration, WOF, maintenance and repairs)		 $
Fees and subscriptions
(such as schools, clubs and magazines)		 $
Medical costs
(such as doctors, prescriptions, dentists, opticians)		 $
Pet costs
(such as vet fees, dog registrations and catteries)		 $
Clothes and shoes $
Household goods
(such as kitchen items and bedding)		 $
Other costs
(such as holidays and gifts)		 $
Add all amounts and divide by 52 Box D $
Step 5
My Results
Your total income each week – insert the amount in Box A $
minus your total costs each week – insert the amount in Box B $
minus your total costs each month – insert the amount in Box C $
minus your total costs each year – insert the amount in Box D $
Your total income/costs = $

If your weekly total is:

  • positive – great. You're meeting your expenses and can start saving. Some budgeting advice could help you move faster towards your goal.
  • negative – your expenses are more than you can afford. But it's not all bad news – your financial mentor will show you ways to reduce your expenses or even increase your income to meet your costs.

You may also qualify for extra help from us. For a list of the kind of things we can help with, see:

Benefits and payments