The 12 Best Budget Planners To Bring Order and Stability To Your Finances in 2020

How often do you overdraw your checking account? Does it always seem like your plans to save for a vacation vanish down the drain? If so, then you need a budget planner. Not just any budget planner will do. It’s important that you insist on the best one available. If you don’t have time to compare all the options, don’t worry.

We’ve done the hard work so that we can present you with a list of eight of the best budget planners.

The best budget planners on this list were chosen for their ability to help you avoid overdrafts, reduce debt and build savings accounts. Detailed layouts make all of the difference to your financial success.

12 Best Budget Planners Available on the Market:

1. Clever Fox Budget Planner

Review

If you feel like you never know where your money goes, then the Clever Fox Budget Planner is for you. It features helpful layouts that assist you to track how and where you’re spending your money. You’ll also find tools for getting on top of your debt and starting to save so that you can meet all of your financial goals.

One of the things that sets the Clever Fox Budget Planner above the competition is that it comes with a quick-start guide. The guide shows you how to make the best use of each layout so that you can hit the ground running. With the easy-to-understand examples, you’ll quickly get acquainted with the  planner so that you can start turning around your finances on the very first day.

In the front of this planner, you’ll find several pages that are designed to help you come up with a workable, realistic budget plan for the coming year. The entire planner is undated so that you can begin at any time. You’ll find pages for defining your financial goals and the steps that you’ll take to achieve them. There also are pages set aside for tracking debt and savings as well as eight pages for each of 12 months.

With each month, you’ll have space to pause and reflect on what went well with your budget and what you’d like to improve next month. There’s even a layout at the back of the planner for you to review the year so that you can make even more improvements next year.

People who have used the Clever Fox Budget Planner generally give it glowing reviews.

They like the category breakdowns and the many different ways to plan and strategize that this book offers.

Most users find that this is the first planner that has truly helped them to get on top of their finances so that they can finally start fulfilling their dreams.

2. Erin Condren Designer Petite Planner – Financial Planner/Budget Planner Organizer Book Edition 2 with Debt Tracking, Stickers & Quote Sheet

The Erin Condren Petiteplanner Budget Book that makes it easier to plan your entire life. The financial planner book allows you to keep on top of your finances by simply writing things down. It is easy to use and ensures that you do not miss any important information.

This book features colorful stickers for quick and easy use. These work perfectly with the bill tracker, making it easy to see what you are spending on bills and when they are due.

You can plan for your finances for 12 months, helping you to make short-term and long-term budgeting plans. This means that you can track your finances and make plans for important financial tasks, such as enhancing your credit score.

There are dedicated pages for weekly and monthly spending, as well as goal tracking. This allows for greater organization of your financial goals and spending.

There is a folder built into the journal. Here you can stash your stickers, a few pens and any other small items that are pertinent to your budget tracking.

It is easy to carry this journal with you. It weighs about five ounces and measures approximately eight by five inches. The durable cover protects your pages and can withstand frequent use and storage in your bag.

If you do not want to get the full bundle, you can purchase the planner alone.

This can save you some money and it still includes all of the necessary financial features to keep you on track. This is a good choice if you have other planners that you use, and you are just looking for a financial tracker.

3. Boxclever Press Budget Book

The Boxclever Budget Planner is a solid budget notebook. The ring binding allows the notebook to sit flat, making it easy to write in. It measures seven by five inches, so it is a small and portable option. Carry it in your hand or slip it into your favorite handbag or briefcase.

This planner allows you to easily organize your budgets, financial planning, credit cards and personal accounting. Track your payments and bills, your incoming income and taxes with the different pages and features.

You can store your receipts in this journal, allowing for simple and accurate monthly spending tracking. There are pages for storing receipts and bills in the form of 12 card pockets.

Keep track of what you are spending daily so that no money is left untracked. You simply jot in this information so that at the end of the day, you can add up any additional spending outside of your normal bills.

There is a special section in this journal where you can keep track of what you spend for special occasions, such as Christmas and birthdays. There are also pages for vacation spending, so you know what you can afford.

These sections are also ideal to save money specifically for these occasions, so that you are never spending outside of your means.

The tracking options allow you to improve your spending. It helps you to determine what you can cut and where you can save money. It also provides space to track your taxes.

This planner is undated, making it easy to organize in a way that best suits your needs. There is a magnetic closure that wraps around the book, keeping it private and secure. The satin ribbon makes it possible to mark your spot.

This planner offers additional pages that you can use as you see fit. Track special expenses, make some financial goals or simply use these to personal your notebook. If you are looking for planner that can be personalized for you, check out this evo planner review.

4. Legend Budget Planner

Monthly budget planners are among the most useful tools for getting your finances in order. This choice comes with an attractive cover, an elastic strap closure and colorful stickers.

The 120 gsm paper prevents ink bleed through, and the one ribbon bookmark is a nice touch. A pen loop keeps your favorite writing instrument at hand while an inner pocket corrals receipts and bills.

This inner pocket may prove inadequate for holding all of these items over the course of the year, so frequent cleaning out is called for.

These undated personal finance planners are designed so that you can start at any time. On the monthly layouts, you can track four goals for the month.

Setting financial goals is one of the most critical things you can do if you’re determined to take control of your money. This smart layout keeps your aims front-and-center.

Then, there’s a calendar for the month where you can keep track of vital dates. Spots for recording income and savings are included. On the facing page is a monthly budget where you can track your expenses.

With all sorts of layouts for planning and tracking, you’ll be in charge of your income and spending like never before.

Fans of this planner praise its ease of use. Nonetheless, some wish that the writing spaces were larger.

Make this the year that you get a handle on your finances with the Legend Budget Planner.

5. Budget Planner (Non-Dated), Finance Journal, Expense Tracker

The best household budget planners provide you with enough options to keep all of your financial matters in one place. That’s exactly what this selection does. Plus, it lets you take advantage of the highly recommended cash envelope system to keep you on track.

This budget money organizer comes with useful features like a pocket for each month where receipts and bills are kept. There’s also a page for notes and a calendar layout for each month.

A section for actual versus projected income is helpful, and the Christmas expense tracker is a must.

Pages within the planner include sections for direct debits and bills, extra expenses, incomes, savings, essentials and day-to-day spending.

The array of planning and budgeting tools is huge advantages for many users. A few note that they didn’t receive the cash budgeting envelopes with their purchase.

Useful tools, cash envelopes and monthly pockets make this planner a winner.

6. Clever Fox Budget Book

This is one of the best monthly budget planner books for numerous reasons. The stickers are adorable and inspirational, the size is perfectly portable and the paper is incredibly thick so that there’s never any ink bleed through.

The Clever Fox is available in a wide variety of attractive covers. From black to turquoise, you’ll find a color that perfectly suits your personal sense of style.

The cover itself is a sturdy one that stands up to the test of time. You can take this planner with you everywhere for a year. It’s definitely up to the task.

What makes this a good budget planner is the variety of layouts. Each month is given a two-page spread where you can keep track of your goals, create a checklist and plan for upcoming purchases and bills. Spots for recording income and savings also are included.

The second page is where you record your monthly budget, which includes the category, your budget, the actual expense and the difference between the two. At the bottom of the page, you record your total income, total expenses, your balance and your savings.

Use the trackers for bills, debts and savings to crush your financial goals, and the summary of the year provides a helpful overview to guide future efforts. With plenty of planning tools, you’ll be in total control of your money.

People love the layouts, the thick paper, the stickers and the inner pocket. However, a few people wish that calendars were included.

The Clever Fox is a great budget planner for the busy individual.

7. GoGirl Budget Planner

If you’re looking for a minimalist budget planner that nonetheless doesn’t skimp on style, then the GoGirl may be the right choice. It comes with fashionable stickers and may be purchased in any one of several covers. The price is pretty affordable too, so it shouldn’t interfere with your efforts to set a budget.

Designed to include a full year of budget planning, this planner is lightweight, has two bookmarks and an inner pocket.

The 120 gsm paper is a nice touch as are the pen loop and elastic strap closure. These things make this planner more convenient, portable and secure, which helps to ensure that you’ll use it on a regular basis.

The GoGirl is one of the best budget planner notebooks because it has monthly layouts for tracking income and expenses in addition to a review of the prior month. You can track your spending, debts, savings and more. There’s even a spot for a Christmas budget.

People love that this planner helps them to track expenses as they occur. Nonetheless, some users feel it’s just too small to be really functional.

Though small, the GoGirl Budget Planner is packed with helpful tools.

8. PrintableWisdom’s Budget Planner Book

The PrintableWisdom’s Budget Book is one of the best budgeting books. If you are using the Perpetual Planners from this brand, this journal coordinates with them. However, you can also use it alone easily.

There are several page types to make your budget planning a breeze.

The monthly budgeting spreads make it possible to put in all of the important information for your monthly bills and expenses. There are 12 of these pages, allowing you to make budgeting plans for a full year.

The budgeting spreads not only take into consideration your regular monthly expenses, but they also allow you to plan for emergency expenses. This is imperative because financial emergencies can be a major drain on your personal expenses. You can use this element of this journal to start building an emergency fund.

In the back of this planner, you will find blank pages with dotted grids. This allows you to customize your planner and create charts and graphs regarding your finances. You can also use this section to make detailed notes for plans and other financial information.

Use the pocket at the front of the journal to carry a few pens or stickers to make using your journal easier and more personalized.

The paper used in this journal is 70 pounds. This means that you can use most pens without having to worry about the ink bleeding through. The cover is thick and textured, so it is able to sufficiently protect your journal against regular use. The binding is hand-stitched and strong.

This journal will last you for a full year. It measures 6.75 by 8.25 inches, so it is easy to carry with you. This allows for easier planning since you will be able to input financial information no matter where you are.

9. Mead Organizher Expense Tracker, Budget Planner, Bill Organizer

The Mead Organizher is an ideal household budget planner book, and it is a type of comprehensive financial tracker.

It comes in a three-ring binder style, making it easy to reorganize the pages in a way that best suits your needs. This style also makes it possible for you to add more pages and other paper items to make organization and financial tracking easier.

The bungee closer keeps your information secure and private. The durable cover ensures that the inside contents are protected. You will not have to worry about the cover wearing prematurely.

The monthly format makes it simple to break down your finances into smaller chunks. You can also analyze your finances on a monthly basis, making it easier to see where positive changes can be made.

Keep track of and analyze your cash flow with the cash flow worksheets. This helps you to see all of your income sources and the total income that you are bringing in.

From here you can determine if you are making enough for your personal budget, or if you need to find additional income streams to avoid debt.

Track your expenses with special worksheets inside the notebook. Here you can determine which expenses can be cut to reduce your total monthly budget. This also gives you some insight on how much more money you can save as you start to cut down on your expenses.

Inside the notebook are two storage envelopes. Use these to hold your bills, important financial papers and pens. These are also ideal for stickers that you can use to personalize your notebook. You can also insert additional storage envelopes if you need to.

10. Ashley Shelly’s Budget Notebook

Ashley Shelly’s Budget Notebook is a monthly budget organizer. This option allows for great freedom when you are tracking expenses and other pertinent financial information. This journal provides 48 pages that are full-color.

Easily budget and make financial plans for a full 13 months. You can break this down on a bi-weekly and monthly basis, making it much easier to make plans. Create your financial goals in smaller, short-term blocks, so that they are not as overwhelming to work on and accomplish.

There are full spread budgeting layouts for all of the 13 months this journal provides for.

This journal puts a focus on improving your overall financial health. It not only helps you to improve your budgeting ability, but it also puts a focus on your debt. Eliminating your debt is imperative for you being able to save money and enhance your credit score.

There are seven pages for debt repayment plans. Use one page per debt or combine similar debts on one page. Either option allows you to better organize the money you owe and need to pay off.

Use the five note pages included in this journal to create additional financial plans and goals. This area is also ideal for any charts or graphs that will help you to better determine your overall financial wellness.

This notebook is easy to carry with you since it measures five by eight inches in size. This ensures that you can easily fit it into most bags, or just carry it in your hand.

The cover is made of a linen material. This ensures optimal durability. It will also protect the contents of your journal without issue.

The paper is 80 pounds, so it is thick and strong. Use just about any pen you prefer with this type of paper. It allows for smooth writing and the ink will not bleed through.

11. May Designs Budget Journal Classic

The May Designs Budget Journal Classic is a budget book target option. This journal puts emphasis on documenting your income, so that you know exactly how much money you are bringing in. This is imperative because it lets you see if you are spending outside of your means.

You can track your finances with the organized pages. Make note of what you are spending money on so that you can see where cuts can be made. Easily plan for an emergency fund by seeing where you can reduce spending to contribute more to a savings account.

You can track your expenses and bills on a weekly and monthly basis, so it is easy to see your short-term and long-term spending. Easily determine if your expenses exceed your income due to this feature.

You can utilize the year-at-a-glance feature for long-term financial tracking. The spreads in the journal alternate between weekly and monthly budget sheets. The budget pages span 18 months, and this is a journal that allows for a full year of overall financial tracking.

At the end of the book, you will find five additional pages. These are lined and ideal for jotting down notes and your overall financial goals. Here you can also make note of any personal financial issues that you want to work on.

This journal features 80 total pages, so there is plenty of space to keep track of all of your financial information. The journal measures five by eight inches, making it a very portable and easy-to-carry option.

The cover is made of a soft canvas, so it is stylish, but will also protect the contents of the journal. The sewn binding ensures that all of the pages stay in place since this is a durable binding choice.

12. Monthly Budget Planner

The Michelia ly Weekly Planner is one of the best budget planner options. It measures 8.5 by 11 inches, making it relatively easy to carry around with you. It functions in multiple ways, including as a monthly budget, a bill organizer, weekly expense tracker and a personal finance journal.

This planner allows you to create a free budget on a monthly basis. This makes it easier to see what you are spending money on. It also helps you to organize your bills and make note of where decreases in your monthly bills are possible.

Track your expenses weekly, from the bills you have for a specific week to the random items you might pick up, such as a morning coffee. This is important because it is common for people to spend small amounts of money frequently without realizing it. For example, that morning coffee or mid-afternoon snack from the vending machine adds up.

Get candid about your personal finances and any goals you might have regarding them in the personal finance journal component. This is where you can plan to improve your credit, reduce your monthly expenses or even come up with ideas to earn more money every month.

This planner has 150 pages. The pages are large enough to easily input all of the important information. Use the different elements on each page to ensure your information is well-organized and easy to use for budgeting saving. Consider using stickers and various ink colors to further organize your information so that it is easy to track.

Insights and Takeaways

The best budget planner is the one that you can use easily. Consider the viable options presented here and look at their specifications.

Ideally, you want to be able to carry your planner around with you. This makes it easier to track every penny that you spend throughout the day. So, make note of the size that will be easily portable for you.

Look at the pages and make sure that they are organized. Different sections for various financial elements are a good choice. These allow you to quickly input information and keep it organized.

Consider added elements, such as a place to keep a pen or a bookmark. These options further add convenience and make it easier to keep track of your expenses. Remember that you need a planner that you will find easy to use so that you actually use it regularly.

What is most important is that you make a habit out of using your budget notebook. Research shows that when you write things down, you are more likely to take them seriously.

Because of this fact, using a journal where you handwrite everything is the best choice. You are increasing your chances of not only crafting a better overall budget, but you are also improving your total financial situation.