Budget and tracker spreadsheets · Ink and Index
One transaction log for two people. Shared costs are split by a rule you choose, and each month says who paid more than their share.
$6.99 on Etsy · instant download · sold by Ink and Index
Works in Excel and Google Sheets. A blank copy and an example-filled copy are included.
The Couples Budget Spreadsheet is a budget for two people built around one transaction log. Shared costs are split by a rule you choose (equal, by income or a custom percentage), each partner keeps personal spending that stays out of the split, and every month ends with a settle-up line that says who owes whom. It has twelve monthly tabs, an annual dashboard with a running balance, room for 5,000 transactions and works in Excel and Google Sheets.
- Three split rules: equal 50/50, by income or a custom percentage
- Personal spending for each partner that is never split
- A settle-up line each month and a running balance for the year
- 3
- split rules
- 12
- monthly tabs
- 5,000
- transaction rows
- 2
- people, one log
Why Splitting Costs by Memory Does Not Work
One partner pays for the groceries, the other for the rent, and by December nobody can say who is ahead. A fair split needs a rule and a record.
- You split everything 50/50 even though one income is much larger.
- Personal spending gets mixed into the shared costs and causes arguments.
- Nobody can say who paid more than their fair share this month.
- A joint account pays for some things and each partner's card for others.
- A shared spreadsheet turns into two people's separate habits.
Six Parts of the Couples Budget
Pick a part to see it. Shared costs are settled, and personal spending is never split.
Part 1 of 6 · the Dashboard
Two incomes, one year
- All twelve months side by side
- The split each month and a running settle-up balance
- Two charts and every category by month
Part 2 of 6 · a monthly tab
Who owes whom
- Income for each partner and shared costs
- Each partner's personal spending and share
- A Settle up line that says who owes whom
Part 3 of 6 · you pick the rule
Equal, by income or custom
- Equal 50/50
- By income: the same share of costs as each partner's share of the household income that month
- Custom: type a percentage for Partner A
Part 4 of 6 · the transaction log
Say who paid
- Date, description, category, amount and who paid: A, B or Joint
- Shared costs are settled, personal spending is not
- A Check column flags a missing Paid by on a shared cost
Part 5 of 6 · planned against actual
Over, near limit, on plan
- Every category with planned, actual and percent used
- A status: OK, Near limit, On plan or Over
- Categories marked Shared, A only or B only
Part 6 of 6 · set up once
Names, incomes, categories
- Both names, the split rule and up to 10 income sources marked A or B
- Up to 30 expense categories
- A planned amount for each
$6.99 on Etsy · instant download · sold by Ink and Index
Read the guide first
1 / 5
How to Run a Shared Budget in Five Steps
Agree the rule first, then let the workbook keep the score.
-
Agree a split rule
Choose equal, by income or a custom percentage for Partner A. This is a personal choice for each couple.
-
Set up names and income
Type both names and up to 10 income sources, each marked A or B, then your categories as Shared, A only or B only.
-
Log what you pay
Add each transaction with a date, a category, an amount and who paid: A, B or Joint.
-
Read the settle-up line
Each month, check who owes whom. Costs paid from a Joint account are left out, on the assumption it is funded in line with your rule.
-
Review the year
Open the Dashboard for the split each month and a running balance.
What Is Inside the Couples Budget Spreadsheet
- Three split rules
- Equal 50/50, by income, or a custom percentage for Partner A.
- A transaction log with Paid by
- Room for 5,000 rows, with a Check column that flags a category not on Setup, a date in another year or a shared cost with no Paid by.
- Twelve monthly tabs
- Income for each partner, shared costs, personal spending, what is left over, each partner's share, who paid what and a Settle up line.
- An annual dashboard
- All twelve months side by side, the split each month, a running settle-up balance, two charts and every category by month.
- A blank and an example workbook
- The example has invented 2027 data for two people called Alex and Sam.
- A 4-page guide
- How to use it in Excel and Google Sheets, including the Share button for your partner.
Couples budget or annual budget?
| Compare | Couples Budget | Annual Budget |
|---|---|---|
| For | Two people sharing costs | One person |
| Extra columns | Paid by: A, B or Joint | None |
| Monthly result | Planned against actual and a settle-up line | Planned against actual |
| Page | You are here | Annual Budget |
Where to buy, and what each store sells
| Store | Price | Includes | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy | $6.99 | Blank and example-filled .xlsx workbooks and a 4-page guide for Excel and Google Sheets | Buy on Etsy |
Prices checked 23 October 2026. Each store shows its own refund terms at checkout.
How Settling Up Works
Only shared costs that A or B paid personally are settled. If A paid more than A's fair share, B owes A the difference. Costs paid from a Joint account are left out, on the assumption that the joint account is funded in line with your split rule. Personal spending is never split.
There is no bank connection, no automatic import, no bill reminders, no macros and no debt payoff tab, and the workbook does not move money or settle the balance for you. It is a record-keeping tool, not financial, tax or legal advice. How a couple shares money is a personal choice.
AI tools were used to help write the wording and the code that builds the workbook, the guide, the pictures and the video. The workbook's results were checked against an independent calculation of the example data. Personal use. Please do not resell, share or upload the files.
What You Download
Three files: a blank workbook, an example-filled workbook for two people called Alex and Sam, and a 4-page read-me guide. It uses ordinary formulas (SUMIFS, IF, INDEX, MATCH) and no macros.
- 3
- files
- 3
- split rules
- 0
- macros
Limits: 5,000 transaction rows, 10 income sources and 30 expense categories.
Couples Budget Spreadsheet: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Couples Budget Spreadsheet?
A budget for two people built around one transaction log. Shared costs are split by a rule you choose, personal spending stays out of the split and each month says who owes whom.
What split rules does it have?
Equal 50/50, by income (each partner pays the same share of shared costs as their share of the household income that month) and custom (a percentage you type for Partner A).
How does it settle up?
If A paid more than A's fair share of shared costs, B owes A the difference. Costs paid from a Joint account are left out, and personal spending is never split.
Can we both use it in Google Sheets?
It uses ordinary formulas and no macros, so it runs in Excel and in Google Sheets. In Google Sheets, use the link in the PDF guide to make your own copy, or upload the .xlsx to Google Drive, open it and choose File, Save as Google Sheets. Formulas, dropdowns and colors usually carry across, but chart styling can change a little, so check the main tabs after you import. Use the Share button in Google Sheets to share it with your partner.
Does it connect to a bank?
No. There is no bank connection or automatic import.
What are the limits?
5,000 transaction rows, 10 income sources and 30 expense categories.
What do I get when I buy it?
Three files: a blank workbook, an example workbook with invented data for Alex and Sam, and a 4-page guide.
How much does it cost, and where can I buy it?
As of 23 October 2026 it costs $6.99 on Etsy. The table above shows what the store sells.
More questions
Is it only for married couples?
No. It works for any two people who share costs: partners, housemates or family.
What is the difference from the annual budget?
The annual budget is for one person. This one adds a paid-by column, split rules and a settle-up line.
Is it financial advice?
No. It is a record-keeping tool. It is not financial, tax or accounting advice. How a couple shares money is a personal choice.
Was AI used to make it?
AI tools were used to help write the wording and the code that builds the workbook, the guide, the pictures and the video. The workbook's results were checked against an independent calculation of the example data.
Can I share the files?
You can share your own copy of the workbook with your partner. Personal use. Please do not resell, share or upload the files.
What if a file will not open?
Email the address on the contact page. If a file will not open or is not what the listing describes, it gets fixed or replaced.
Agree the Rule, Then Let the Sheet Keep Score
Choose a split rule, log what each of you pays and read the settle-up line at month end. The spreadsheet is an instant download. For one person, see the Annual Budget Spreadsheet.
$6.99 on Etsy · instant download · sold by Ink and Index
Paying off debt together? The Debt Payoff Spreadsheet plans it.