Make 2022 the year you (finally) get your finances in order. These budget planner books will help make budgeting (a lot) more enjoyable.
In today’s post, I’ll give you the lowdown on the top 12 best budget planner books available so you won’t have to spend hours doing your own tedious research!
We all know the importance of creating a budget and sticking to it. Unfortunately, it’s often easier said than done.
What is a budget planner (and why you need one)
A budget planner is essentially an organized system for keeping track of your money. It can help you stay motivated to pay off debt, build savings, and avoid late fees.
A good budget planner will keep you in tune with your personal finances so you can plan for irregular bills, save up an emergency fund, pay your bills on time, and get out of debt quickly.
Do you need to use a budget planner for budgeting? The short answer is ‘no’. While you certainly could just use a pencil and paper to make your budget, a budget planner makes it loads more fun…especially if you add in stickers!
Related: Budgeting Tips For Beginners: How To Create A Monthly Budget (That Works)
Best Budget Planner Books For 2022 Our Top Picks
|
Product Image |
Product Name |
Customer Rating |
Buy It |
|
|
Clever Fox Budget Planner |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
|
Clever Fox Budget Book |
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
|
Erin Condren Petite Budget Planner |
|
CHECK PRICE |
Best Budget Planners For 2022 Reviews
This guide includes features and reviews of the top 12 budget planner books for 2022 including a range of price points, sizes, and designs.
1. Clever Fox Planner & Monthly Bill Organizer (with pockets)
Clever Fox Budget Planner & Monthly Bill Organizer
The Clever Fox Bill Organizer with pockets will help you keep your money organized, spend well, start saving, set and achieve financial goals. It can help you to manage all your household monthly budgeting & personal finance in one place: savings, debt, payments due, bills, receipts, cash flow, expense tracking, and more.
Summary: This is the budget planner I own and use every day. It has a cherished spot on my desk and is always open.
The Clever Fox Bill Organizer is an all-in-one budgeting system designed to keep you focused on your money goals, organize your bills, and track your monthly (and weekly) expenses. It will help you stay motivated to build savings, pay off debt, and
Key Features: Available in (2) sizes-Large (8″x9.5″) and Medium (5.1″x8.2″), and (2) different colors (currently black and dark green). The Clever Fox Budget Planner is spiral-bound, so it lays flat for ease of use. It includes (12) durable pockets (one for each month) to hold bills and receipts, as well as 192 stickers.
Pages included: Financial goals page, a mind map, actions and affirmations pages, followed by 12 monthly sections divided by a durable pocket. Each monthly section includes an inspirational money quote, undated calendar, monthly budget blank template, (4) pages of expense trackers, and a monthly budget review page. The back of the planner includes an inspirational quote, followed by (4) savings tracker pages, (4) debt tracker pages, (2) pages for holiday budget planning, (2) bill tracker pages, (2) year-end summary pages, and a handful of bullet journal dotted pages.
Top Review
“I cannot give enough love for this budget planner. I can understand if someone has a bit of unease with the price but it is completely worth it! If you like mindful or bullet journaling and you also love Dave Ramsey then this is the best marriage of the two theories. “
Amazon Customer
Pros
- (12) durable pockets
- Undated calendars
- Lots of stickers
2. Clever Fox Budget Book 2.0-Financial Planner Organizer & Expense Tracker Notebook
Clever Fox Budget Book 2.0 Financial Planner Expense Tracker Notebook
The Clever Fox Finance Planner will help you to budget before you spend, track expenses, get out of debt, start saving and achieve financial goals. It can help you to manage all your personal finances, savings, budgets, debts, payments, bills, cash flow and expense tracking in one place. Using this budget planner can help you become a personal finance expert.
Summary: The Clever Fox Budget Planner Notebook is a portable budgeting system designed to help you keep track of bill due dates, income, savings, and daily expenses.
This expense tracker notebook will help you plan and organize your finances like a pro! It even comes with a user manual that shows you how to use each page.
Key Features: The Clever Fox Budget Book is available in 5 different colors, so you’re sure to find one you’ll like. It is available in a compact size of 5.3″x 7.7″, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. Each planner includes 86 budgeting stickers, an attached pen loop, and a pocket for receipts and bills.
Pages Included: Monthly budget pages (with calendar), expense trackers, monthly budget review pages,budget goal tracking pages, mind map, dot grid journal pages, savings trackers, debt trackers, Christmas budgeting pages, and annual budget summary pages.
Top Review
“With a slim, compact design Clever Fox Budget Book 2.0 still manages to consolidate all the information needed to begin mastering my finances while also delivering yet again a wonderfully simple system that promises to reduce stress while promoting independent financial comprehension”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Compact
- Plenty of colors available
- Pen loop
Cons
- Writing spaces are small
- Not enough payday stickers
- Not enough space for monthly bills
3. Erin Condren Petite Budget Planner
Erin Condren Petite Budget Planner
GET YOUR LIFE ORGANIZED: Do you need the inspiration to plan? Look no further with the ever popular Erin Condren designer Budget Planning book for your monthly expenses.
Summary: The Erin Condren Petite Budget Planner is a stylish and affordable way to keep track of your weekly and monthly bills. It helps you reach your financial goals faster by offering spaces to record savings goals and debt tracking pages.
Key Features: The Erin Condren Petite Budget Planner is available in (2) cover options. It allows for 12 months of budget planning. It also includes a paper pocket perfect for storing stickers. Its portable design allows you to carry it with you wherever you go.
Pages Included: One savings tracker spread, 72 pages of monthly spending summaries, 4 pages of debt tracking, 1 quote page, 1 sticker sheet, and a built-in paper pocket.
Top Review
“This is a great tool for those starting to be more aware of their finances. I love the design both inside and out. This budget book is very efficient and has all the necessary features to help me keep track of my spending, bills, and savings. I love that it’s also compact enough to fit in my purse”.
Amazon Customer
Pros
- Portable
- Built-in pocket
- Great for beginners
Cons
- Some spaces are pre-labeled
- Does not lay flat
- Basic
4. GoGirl Budget Book
Go Girl Budget Book
Organizing your financial life has never been easier than with GoGirl Budget Planner by your side. Get inspired with minimalistic, colorful layouts and stay motivated with the beautiful compact planner. Manage your personal finances, savings, budgets, debt, payments, bills due, cash flow, and expense tracking in one place.
Summary: The GoGirl Budget Book includes everything you need to manage your personal finances. The planner is composed of thick, no-bleed, 120gsm paper, so you are free to use your favorite pens and highlighters without worrying about ruining the next page. The GoGirl Budget Book comes in a handy, compact size (approximately the size of a paperback book) that is large enough to fill all of your budget requirements.
Key Features: The GoGirl Budget Book measures 5.8″x8.3″. Available colors include grey and mint green. The planner comes with 220 stickers and (3) bonus water and tear-resistant cash envelopes. This budget planner also includes a pen loop, (3) bookmarks, and an accordion pocket for bills and receipts.
Pages Included: The GoGirl Budget Book is undated, so you can start your budget anytime you wish without wasting pages. It is divided into (12) monthly layouts which each include a two-page calendar spread, (3) expense tracker pages, a monthly budget plan page, a monthly budget break-down, as well as a page for notes.
Following the monthly sections, you’ll find (2) savings tracker pages, (4) debt tracker pages, (2) holiday budget pages, (2) bill tracker pages, and (2) end of the year summary pages.
Top Review
“The maker of the product sends PDF user information and contact information if needed on how to best utilize the product. Well made, instructions clear and easy to follow.”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Thick pages
- (2) bookmarks
- Easy to use
Cons
- Not enough room to record bills
- Too small
- The built-in envelope is flimsy
5. Legend Budget Planner-Deluxe Financial Planner
Legend Budget Planner
The Clever Fox Bill Organizer with pockets will help you keep your money organized, spend well, start saving, set and achieve financial goals. It can help you to manage all your household monthly budgeting & personal finance in one place: savings, debt, payments due, bills, receipts, cash flow, expense tracking, and more.
Summary: The Legend Budget Planner is a beautiful way to take control of your spending so you can pay off debt and save more money. It is designed to help you manage your bills, savings, debt repayment, money goals, and more, all in a compact design.
Key Features: The Legend Budget Planner features a compact 5.5″ x 8.3″ (A5) size and comes in a variety of colors including seashell, purple, hot pink, rose gold, turquoise, and viridian green.
This budget book also includes a built-in pen loop, ribbon bookmark, bleed-resistant paper, paper pocket, and 109 stickers. The hardcover is made from high-quality faux leather which gives it the feel of a well-loved journal.
Pages Included: An instruction sheet, (2) page, my financial plan, spread, mind map, and financial goals pages, (4) savings tracker pages, (4) debt tracking pages, 12 months of budget pages with (8) pages available per month. The monthly pages include a calendar, budget breakdown, expense trackers, monthly budget review, and notes pages.
The back of the book includes (2) pages for Christmas budgeting, (2) pages for regular bill tracking, and (2) pages for an annual summary to track your progress throughout the year.
Top Review
“It includes beautiful, and functional, stickers as well as an instruction pamphlet that gives suggestions on how to get the most from your budget and financial planner. I’m more motivated when I have a great book like this, that helps me put pen (and stickers) to paper to keep track of my financial plan. It makes it a little more fun to organize your financial life.”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Elastic closure
- Includes detailed instructions
- Thick pages
Cons
- Not enough stickers
- Needs more debt tracker pages
- Not enough room for notes
6. Limitless Mindset Budget Planner
Limitless Mindset Budget Planner
DATED BUDGET BOOK – With your Limitless Mindset Budget Book you will receive 3 cash envelopes, 2 sets of stickers, and your own custom pen.
Summary: The Limitless Mindset Budget Planner is a 12-month, undated finance journal, budget tracker, and bill organizer designed to help you track your expenses and budget your life.
Key Features: The Limitless Mindset Budget Planner measures 9″x 6″ and is available in turquoise, rose gold, and mint green. It includes two inner pockets (1 large and 1 small), a pen loop, an elastic band which can be used as a bookmark or to keep the planner closed, 150 budget stickers, as well as (3) cash envelopes.
Pages Included: (2) pages to list important information, passwords, and bank accounts. (2) yearly savings tracker pages, yearly bill planner pages (x2), (3) debt planner pages, (12) budget breakdown pages, (12) goal tracker/calendar pages, (12) monthly savings/income tracker pages, (12) monthly budget review pages, and monthly spending tracker pages.
Top Review
“The guide they provide for this is amazing! I feel like I can actually manage a budget now, and I look forward to using this! Plus the fact that it’s undated makes it a little more forgiving if I miss a month”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Multiple colors available
- Includes cash envelopes
- Front and back pockets
Cons
- No instructions
- Not enough debt tracking pages
7. Boxclever Press Budget Planner
Boxclever Press Budget Planner
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BUDGET – Get to grips with your personal finances with this large bill planner. Track your monthly income, expenses, savings & bills. With lots of space to record day-to-day expenditures.
Summary: The Boxclever Press Budget Planner is designed to help you organize and keep track of your savings, debts, and monthly spending. Its beautiful, sturdy design allows it to hold up to daily use. It even has pages to help you budget for irregular expenses and holidays.
Features: The Boxclever Press Budget Planner is available in a spiral-bound, lay-flat design and measures 9.5″ x 8″. It includes (13) thick pockets to store receipts and bills, and an elastic band to hold everything in place as well as a ribbon bookmark.
Pages Included: Useful info page, annual bill tracker, savings tracker, and expense tracker pages, (12) monthly (undated) calendar pages, (12) monthly budget tracker pages, (12) monthly income/savings tracker pages, (12) day-to-day spending tracker pages, (12) monthly overview pages, extra expenses page, Christmas budget page, and a yearly budget summary page.
Top Review
“I love how sturdy it is and will hold up very well for daily use! The colorful pages makes it enjoyable to keep up to date information. Would highly recommend”
Amazon customer
Note: A compact version of this planner is also available.
Pros
- (13) durable envelopes
- Spiralbound
- Bookmark
Cons
- Only one design available
- Bulky
- No stickers
8. Smart Planner Budget Book
Smart Planner Budget Organizer
12 MONTHLY BUDGET PLANNER ORGANIZER – take control of your personal finances with our 12-month budget planner. Containing a wide variety of trackers, calendars and budget planning sheets, this financial planner is ideal for tracking your income, expenses, budget, savings and money goals.
Summary: If you’re looking for a no-frills, just-get-it-done budget book, the Smart Budget Planner is for you. Use it to organize your bills, pay off debt, and increase your savings. With pages and charts for debt tracking and monthly spending, you’ll be able to ‘see’ your progress each step of the way.
Features: This budget planner measures 5.8″x 8.3″ (A5 size). It includes a pen loop, elastic closure, vegan leather cover available in multiple colors (currently black and dark blue), (3) ribbon bookmarks, an expandable inner back pocket, and thick 120gsm pages.
Pages Included: Includes 176 pages beginning with a year-at-a-glance calendar, account info pages, yearly savings trackers, snowball method instruction page, list of debts page, debt trackers, (12) monthly budget planner pages, (12) undated calendar pages (2-page spread), daily expense tracker pages, (12) monthly budget review pages with fillable pie charts, (12) spending analysis pages, financial goals and affirmation pages, a yearly overview section, (10) blank note pages, (10) lined note pages.
Top Review
“I wanted a useful book without all the added fluff because there is no way I’m going to bother with stickers and such. If you are looking for a nice planner to just keep track of finances without a bunch of extras this is a good pick”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Elastic strap closure
- Pen loop
- Vegan leather cover
Cons
- Complicated for some
- No stickers
- Writing spaces are small
9. The Happy Planner-Deluxe Budget Planner
Summary: The Happy Planner Deluxe Budget Planner is perfect for the planner-obsessed. With tons of customizable options and add-ins, large calendar pages, tabbed sections, and, of course, stickers, to make your inner organizing geek happy!
Features: Planner measures: 7.75″ x 9.75″ which is considered the ‘classic’ size. This year’s edition features a colorful design, shiny blue metal discs, and gold foil accents. The base budget planner includes the budgeting pages and (12) laminated tabbed dividers.
Additional products include snap-in budget envelopes, stickers, and a wet-erase budget board. (Available on The Happy Planner website, Michaels, and JoAnn stores.
Pages Included: Year at a glance calendar, vertical monthly calendar (4-page spread), (12) next month’s budget review pages, (12) tabbed monthly dividers with quotes, 2-page calendar spreads for each month (dated), (12) budget tracker pages, (12) savings/debt tracker pages, weekly expense tracker pages (4 for each month), (12) lined notes pages, and (12) grid notes pages.
Top Review
“Purchased for my daughter (per her Christmas request) and she was thrilled with it!”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Expansion packs available
- Pages are removable
- Tabbed dividers
10. Busy Bee Planners Budget Book
Busy Bee Planners Budget Book
Get Focused on Your Financial Goals: The Busy Bee Planners Budget Book will help you keep your money organized, start saving, set and achieve your financial goals. This planner can help you to manage all your personal finance, savings, budgets, debt, payments, bills due, cash flow and expense tracking! By using this budget planner, you can get and keep your finances organized!
Summary: My Budget Planner by Busy Bees Planners will help you stay focused on your financial goals. Its small, portable design allows you to take it with you wherever you go. It comes with (3) durable cash envelopes making it perfect to use with the Dave Ramsey budgeting system.
Features: A5 planner with laminated cherry blossom cover and rose gold metal spiral. This budget planner comes with over 270 budgeting stickers including (12) monthly sticker tabs. It also features thick, 100gsm paper to avoid bleed-thru.
Pages Included: Financial goal planning pages, (12) monthly budget goals, income tracker and calendar pages, (12) monthly budget breakdown, (4) expense tracker pages per month, (12) monthly budget review pages, (2) savings tracker pages, and (2) debt tracker pages.
Top Review
“LOVE LOVE LOVE this budget planner! My husband and I really wanted to track our finances this year and save as much as we can for a nice trip. This planner has made it easy with saving pages, debt tracker pages, and an easy to use monthly budget tracker”
Amazon customer
Pros
- Includes (3) cash envelopes
- Spiralbound
- Monthly tabs
Cons
- Only one design available
- Not organized well
- Stickers don’t fit on all pages
Things to consider when buying a budget planner
When trying to decide which budget planner is right for you, consider the following features.
Size– Personal, A5 budget planners allow for portability, while larger (notebook size) budget planners give you more space to write in.
Paper weight– If you love using pens and highlighters, you’ll want to make sure you choose a budget book with the highest gsm (grams per square meter). While 80gsm paper is standard, a higher rating of 120 will help you avoid bleed-thru.
Customizable pages– Do you like to doodle, take notes, or move pages around? Do you want the flexibility of personalizing your budget planner? Or, do these things not matter to you?
Features– The most basic of budget planners will get the job done, but things like stickers, pen loops, built-in folders, and bookmarks can make it a bit more enjoyable.
Durability– If you are going to be carrying your planner around with you, choose the most durable planner you can. A durable planner will have a hard cover with a protective finish and the pages should be shorter than the cover for extra protection.
Reviews– While Amazon reviews can certainly be skewed (some companies will send customers a free product in exchange for a positive review), you’ll want to aim for products with at least a 4-star rating.
Dated or undated– If you tend to skip months or want to start your budget in the middle of the year (or at the beginning of the school year), you’ll avoid wasted pages by choosing an undated budget book.
On the other hand, if you like structure and your hands cramp just thinking of filling in calendar dates manually, opt for a dated planner.
What is the best way to budget money?
The best way to budget money is to add up all of your expenses, followed by your income. Subtract your expenses from your income. Aim to live on 80% and save the rest.
Whatever you do, make sure you steer clear of these Dave Ramsey stupid tax money mistakes!
How do budget planners save money?
You know how money has a way of disappearing? A budget planner helps you identify areas where you may be spending too much, so you can take appropriate measures to reduce your spending.
Tip: A great way to reset your budget and start fresh is by doing a 30 day no spend challenge.
What is the best online budget planner?
There are SO many good online budget planners! Our top three favorites are Personal Capital, Tiller Money, and EveryDollar.
If you’re not quite ready to invest in a budget planner, check out these free printable budget template worksheets!
Best budget planners: Final thoughts
Remember, the best budget planner is one you actually use!
If you are sick of living paycheck to paycheck, are deep in debt, or have grown tired of wondering where all of your money went, make 2022 the year you finally take charge of your finances!
Cheryl
I used to be a hot mess with money! Then, I realized the way I thought about money was all wrong! So, I changed my money mindset, began saving more money, created a successful side hustle, learned to love budgeting, and paid off $50,000 of debt. I rewrote my money story and you can too!