The Simple Family Budget Worksheet: 50/30/20 for Real Households
Part of the FamilyDecode Method: Decode → Plan → Practice → Review
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Budgeting
Most family budgets die in week three, killed by 47 spreadsheet categories no tired parent will ever update. The alternative isn't giving up on budgeting — it's simplifying until it survives real life.
The 50/30/20 frame: about half of income for needs (housing, food, transport, school), 30% for wants (outings, subscriptions, treats), 20% for savings and debt. The worksheet asks only three questions a month: what came in, where did it go across the three buckets, and what's one thing to adjust next month.
Do it as a couple, 20 minutes, same day each month — calm, coffee, no blame. Money fights are rarely about money; they're about surprises. A shared worksheet removes the surprises.
Keep going
Read next: Splitting invisible work fairly · also in this topic: Saving Money as a Family: 12 Habits Kids Can Actually Join
Put it into practice: the Family Budget Planner and the Family Meeting Agenda — or start free with the Family Budget Worksheet.
Go deeper: this article is part of the Family Budgeting guide, built on the FamilyDecode Method.