Here are the best planners (I think) for budgeting on paper!

1. Carpe Diem Budget Planner

This is my favorite paper planner for budgeting that I’ve found to date. Nice colors, good page size, functional layouts, coordinating planner stickers and a reasonable price tag.

• Size: Approx 7″ wide x 8.75″ high (the inside pages are 6.25″ wide x 8.25″ high)
• Hardcover
• Wire binding
• 2 sheets of functional budgeting planner stickers
• Variety of annual budgeting pages at the front of the planner
• Each month has – 2 page monthly calendar (undated),  Monthly goals, Monthly divider with a tab (different designs for each month), Expense tracker (4 pages), Monthly bills checklist and lined notes page
• Pocket folder
• Tabs
• 12 month duration
• Colorful inside pages

Read more: Carpe Diem Budget Planner Review

2. Happy Planner Budget Planner

Of course this discbound budget planner was going to make it onto the list!

QUICK FACTS

• Size: 7″ wide x 9.25″ high (cover is 7.75″ wide x 9.75″ high)
• Disc binding
• Laminated cardstock cover
• This belongs to page in case your planner is lost
• Dates at a glance
• Savings goal page
• Colorful inside pages
• 2 page vertical weekly spread (starts on Monday)
• 2 Page monthly calendar (starts on Sunday)
• Monthly budget (for each month)
• Different divider cover pages for each month
• Tabs

MAMBI’s budget planner comes in classic size and a more portable mini size (perfect if you want to keep budgeting separate to your weekly planner).

Read more: Happy Planner Budget Edition Review

3. Recollections

You’ve probably already heard of the Recollections planners! They remind me of a cross between the Erin Condren and Plum Paper.

• Size: 7.5 x 9.25″
• Holographic front cover, laminated back cover
• Coil binding
• Dates at a glance page
• 2 page Monthly calendar (starts on Sunday)
• 1 page weekly spread (starts on Monday)
• Finances at a glance, yearly savings goal, bill tracker, savings goals
• Lined notes pages with dot grid sidebar
• 4 pages of functional planner stickers
• Double sided pocket folder
• Different divider patterns for each month
• Monthly budget
• Monthly financial goals tracker
• Expenses tracker for each month (double sided)
• Extra notes pages at the back
• Undated
• 18 Month Duration
• Tabs
• Colorful inside pages

Read more: Recollections Budget Planner Review

4. Otto Life Planner Budget

If you’re a fellow Aussie, this one’s for you. The Otto Life Planner for budgeting is from Officeworks. AT only $20 it’s one of the cheapest options on this list.

Read more: Otto Budget Planner Review (Undated)

5. Clever Fox Budget Planner

I’ve reviewed both the daily and weekly Clever Fox planners and the one thing that stood out to me the most was the paper quality. Most sewn bound notebooks have yukky yellow paper. Not Clever Fox. It’s bright white with no bleed through.

Their budget planner includes

• Pocket
• 1 Bookmark
• 120 gsm paper
• A5 size
• Monthly Budget worksheets
• Expense Tracker
• Monthly Budget Review
• 12 Month
• Undated
• Plenty of cover colors to choose from (the teal is my favorite!)

Price: $20 USD

Read more: Clever Fox Budget Planner

6. Plum Paper Budget Journal

Simple, cheap, functional and affordable = Plum Paper Planners. This one is glue bound instead of their usual coil bound.

• 6.75” x 8.5”
• 70 gsm paper
• Pages include income and expense tracking for 12 months

Price: Starts at $14 USD

I did a review of their meal planning journal which has a similar style to the budget journal.

7. Ashley Shelley Budget Notebook

For something a bit more affordable and portable, try the Ashley Shelley Budget notebook. Similar to a traveller’s notebook, you can easily take this one with you to record your spending at you go.

• Size: 5” wide x 8” Tall
• 48 full-color pages
• Cover stock is durable linen
• 80 gsm paper
• Last 13 months on a monthly budget, 6 months on a bi-weekly budget and 3 months for a weekly budget.
• Pages include
• Bills List
• Savings Tracker
• Financial Goals
• Purchase Wish LIst
• 13 Full spread Layouts for Budgeting
• Debts Overview
• Debt Repayment Plans
• Notes pages
• Logins/Passwords List

Price: $13 USD

I did a review of the Ashley Shelley planner here.

8. Erin Condren Budget Book

See my review in this post.

Other Options

If you want to keep track of budgeting in the same planner as your appointments and to do’s. see these posts:

• How to color code bill paying in your planner (7 different ways) 
• 7 Mistakes to avoid when setting up a new planner
• Favorite color coding planner supplies for less than $5

Planning tips

• 10 Planner supplies that will help you plan your week faster
• 12 Planner Layout Ideas for Monthly Habit Tracking in Your Bullet Journal
• 30 Purposes for Your Planner

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