What is the Simple Budget Template?
The Simple Budget Template is a one-page monthly budget designed for early-stage businesses, solo operators, and side projects that do not yet need a full financial model. It tracks income, fixed costs, variable costs, and savings in a structure you can fill in within an hour.
Who this is for and when to use it
Solopreneurs, freelancers, very early-stage African founders, and SME operators who want clarity on their finances without building a 20-tab model. Use the template at the start of every month, review it weekly, and reconcile it against actuals at month-end. It is also useful before taking a loan, making a hire, or committing to a recurring cost.
What is inside
A written guide that explains how to think about the four categories (income, fixed costs, variable costs, savings), how to separate personal and business expenses, and what to do when the numbers do not balance, plus an editable spreadsheet ready to fill in. Pair with The Budget Guide for the full narrative explanation.
Key concepts you will learn
The 50/30/20 rule and its adaptations for African operators, the difference between fixed and variable costs, the discipline of paying yourself first, the importance of a separate business account, the principle of buffer months, and how to spot recurring costs that are eating margin.