Spending Audit
Compare what you planned to spend vs what you actually spent. See where you went over or under budget.
When to use this tool
Use this tool to review any spending period—whether it's a monthly budget check, holiday season review, vacation expenses, or any event. Knowing where you went over (or under) budget helps you plan better next time.
Enter your numbers — totals and differences update automatically
How to Audit Your Spending
Add Your Categories
Start with the default categories or customize them for your situation. Click "Add category" for new rows, or edit existing names.
Enter Planned Amounts
Fill in what you originally budgeted for each category. This is what you intended to spend.
Enter Actual Spending
Check your bank statements or receipts and enter what you actually spent in each category.
Review the Differences
Green means you came in under budget (savings!). Red means you overspent. Use these insights to adjust your next budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I do a spending audit?
Do a spending audit at the end of each month to review your budget. It's also valuable after specific events like holidays, vacations, or major purchases. Regular audits (monthly or quarterly) help you stay on track and identify spending patterns you might want to change.
How do I use this for holiday spending?
Before the holidays, set a budget for each category: gifts, food & entertaining, travel, decorations, etc. After the holidays, come back here and enter what you actually spent. This helps you see where you overspent so you can plan better for next year—or start a holiday sinking fund based on real numbers.
What should I do if I went over budget?
First, don't stress—overspending happens to everyone. Look at which categories went over and ask why. Was your budget unrealistic? Did unexpected expenses come up? Use this information to: 1) Adjust future budgets to be more realistic, 2) Find categories where you can cut back, 3) Build an emergency fund for surprises.
How often should I audit my spending?
Monthly audits work best for most people—it gives you regular feedback without being overwhelming. Some prefer quarterly reviews for a bigger picture view. At minimum, audit after any significant spending period (holidays, vacation, major life events) while the details are still fresh.
What categories should I include?
Include any categories where you set a budget and want to track. Common ones: groceries, dining out, entertainment, shopping, transportation, subscriptions, personal care. For events like holidays, use specific categories: gifts, decorations, travel, food & entertaining. Add or remove categories to match your situation.
Track Your Spending Daily
BUDGT helps you stay on budget every day—so you won't have surprises at month end.
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