The detailed budget template provides you with preprinted categories, where you enter an estimate for each one of them. How much are you expecting to spend on utilities this month, for instance? Continue logging your spending in the relevant category so that, by the end of the month, you can check how well your estimate compares to your actual spending. 
In our more general monthly budget pages you can enter your own categories or expense items yourself. These could be rent, food, clothes, hobbies, gas, etc. You can be as specific as you like here. Next, enter your planned budget for each expense. At the end of the month, enter what you've actually spent on each expense item to get a realistic picture of your total budget. Fancy trying out one of the budgeting templates before adding them to your next planner or Mixbook? Click below to download one of our useful budget templates for free! 
Consider this scenario: A few times a week, you pick up a coffee on your way to the office. A lovely way to start off your day, sure, but how much is that latte really costing you? As the irrefutable laws of lattematics clearly confirm, if you're getting coffee at your fave spot three times a week, you'll be spending over $620 a year on your milky caffeine addiction*. Is your latte really worth it? Absolutely, you might say without blinking an eye; it's the perfect way to brighten up my daily grind! Ok, great, then you've made a conscious choice and can enjoy your guilt-free cup of joe. But if you, on the other hand, are surprised at how much of your hard-earned dollars you're using to satisfy your caffeine cravings, then perhaps it's time to make a decision to change things. Mapping out your consumption patterns helps you become aware of behavior and empowers you to make concrete choices for change
