Hey there, simplicity seekers!
I’m crammed into this tiny apartment. Coffee mugs stacked high. My desk has one single sheet of paper and a pen. Muffin the cat gives me that “keep it to one page” approving look while I sip my brew to stay focused.
For months I’ve been overwhelmed by budgeting. Multi-page spreadsheets. Endless apps. Too many tabs.
I just wanted one page. Glance and done.
Then I started testing one-page budget templates. Minimal. Clear. No fluff.
This is my real, unpolished story. No complicated software. Just me, my one-page experiments, and a cat who loves the simplicity.
Let’s dive in!
Why One-Page Works So Well
Big budget systems feel like homework. Rows. Columns. Formulas.
One-page templates? They’re quick. Visual. Forgiving.
You see everything at once. No scrolling. No overwhelm.
Perfect for busy people. Phone users. Paper lovers. Anyone who hates complexity.
My income isn’t huge. Expenses aren’t fancy. I needed fast clarity.
One page forces focus. Essentials first. No room for fluff.
It’s not perfect tracking. But it’s perfect for starting.
Muffin approves. He naps on the page—zero judgment.
The Templates I Tested
I tried six simple one-page designs. All fit on a single sheet (A4 or letter size).
Printed or digital (Notion, Google Docs, phone note). All easy.
1. 50/30/20 One-Pager
Top line: Monthly income
Three boxes below:
- Needs (50%) – list rent, bills, groceries
- Wants (30%) – coffee, eating out, fun
- Savings/Debt (20%) – emergency fund, extra payments
Quick math. Visual split. Glance and adjust.
Best for: Steady income people who want simple rules.
2. Monthly Overview Grid
Calendar-style grid (31 boxes).
Write date + amount + category (color-coded dots or emojis).
Bottom row: Total income / Total spent / Leftover.
Best for: Visual daily trackers who like seeing the month at a glance.
3. Four-Box Budget
Draw four large boxes on the page:
- Fixed Bills (rent, phone, internet)
- Variable Essentials (food, transport, utilities)
- Savings & Debt
- Fun / Buffer
Write amounts as money comes in. Cross off when paid.
Best for: People who hate categories but need clear buckets.
4. Zero-Based One-Page
Top: Total income this month
Then list every expense until you reach zero.
Categories limited to 8-10 max.
Leftover? Add to savings line at bottom.
Best for: People who want every dollar assigned (YNAB style) but hate spreadsheets.
5. Paycheck Flow Template
Two or three columns (depending on pay frequency):
Paycheck 1 | Paycheck 2 | Paycheck 3
Under each: Essentials first, then savings, then fun.
Cross off as paid.
Best for: Irregular or bi-weekly paychecks.
6. Visual Pie Chart Page
Hand-drawn circle in center.
Divide into 6-8 slices.
Label each slice with category + dollar amount.
Color-code. Fill as you spend.
Bottom: Total income & total spent.
Best for: Visual learners who hate lists but love pictures.
How I Chose & Used Them
I printed each one. Tested one per week.
Started with 50/30/20 — too rigid for my irregular freelance pay.
Switched to Paycheck Flow — perfect for my two uneven checks.
Added visual pie for quick glance.
Used bullet journal version for fun doodles.
All fit one page. All took under 5 minutes weekly to update.
That curry spill? I cut eating out. Put savings slice first.
Muffin naps on the pages—zero judgment.
My Take: Wins, Woes, Tips
Not perfect tracking. But one-page peace worth it.
Wins
- One page = zero overwhelm
- Saved $220 in first month
- Quick updates = actually done
Woes
- Limited detail (by design)
- Manual writing (some weeks skipped)
- Muffin walks on paper daily
Tips
- Print monthly — fresh page motivation
- Color code — makes it visual
- Update weekly — Sunday 5-minute ritual
- Prioritize top — essentials first
- Forgive simple — round numbers okay
Favorite? Paycheck Flow + visual pie combo.
Wallet happier—one page only.
The Real Bit
Complex budgets scare people away. One-page ones welcome everyone.
Simplicity builds habits gently.
Consistency with minimalism compounds.
One-page tracking can save $100-300 monthly—my bank agrees!
Twists, Flops, Muffin Madness
Wild ride. Curry spill? Muffin knocked my pen. Ink everywhere—cleaned up grumbling.
Flops: Lumped categories vague early. Forgot updates once.
Wins: Budgeted with niece—her colors made pie fun.
Muffin’s paper nap added chaos and cuddles—one-page buddy?
Aftermath: Worth It?
Month on, spending controlled simply.
Habits fit my life. No planner guilt.
Not perfect—details light—but savings grow.
Low startup, one-page only. Beats complex chaos.
Want simple tracking? Try it. Start with 50/30/20 or paycheck flow.
What’s your one-page budget? Drop ideas or flops below—I’m all ears!
Let’s keep the savings coming—one page at a time!