Free guides

Budgeting & Google Sheets guides

Sinking funds, couples budgets, formulas and the rest — written by the same team that builds sheetfolk's templates.

• August 16, 2026

  Product Cost Calculator: True Landed Cost Per Unit (Materials, Packaging, Labels, Batch Labor)

  Calculate the true landed cost per unit by adding materials, packaging, labels, allocated batch labor, and inbound costs divided by finished units, so your Etsy prices and margins reflect reality.

• August 15, 2026

  Etsy Fee & Profit Calculator: How Much You Actually Keep Per Order (Free Spreadsheet Walkthrough)

  Learn how to effectively use an Etsy fee and profit calculator with our comprehensive guide, featuring a free spreadsheet to help you maximize your earnings on each sale.

• July 25, 2026

  Digital Cash Stuffing in Google Sheets: How to Set Up Digital Envelopes

  Learn how to manage your budget using digital cash stuffing in Google Sheets. This guide walks you through setting up your digital envelopes for effective financial management.

• July 25, 2026

  Etsy Fee & Profit Calculator: How Much You Keep Per Order (Free Spreadsheet Walkthrough)

  Learn how to calculate your profits on Etsy after fees with our easy-to-use spreadsheet and tips for maximizing your earnings.

• August 5, 2026

  50/30/20 vs Zero-Based vs Plan-vs-Actual: 3 Budgeting Methods Compared

  The three spreadsheet budgeting methods compared: 50/30/20's fixed percentages, zero-based's full allocation, and plan-vs-actual variance tracking.

• August 5, 2026

  Budget Spreadsheet vs YNAB vs Monarch: Which Actually Works?

  Compare a budget spreadsheet to YNAB ($14.99/month) and Monarch: price, automation, privacy and who each fits. Verified August 2026.

• August 5, 2026

  Vertex42 vs Tiller vs sheetfolk: Which Budget Spreadsheet Fits You?

  Compare Vertex42's free template (1.3M+ downloads), Tiller's $99/year bank-feed automation, and sheetfolk's one-time templates. Verified August 2026.

• July 12, 2026

  How to Track Mileage for Uber/Lyft Without Losing Your Deduction at Tax Time

  How to track mileage for Uber and Lyft the way the IRS requires, why the app's own trip log undercounts, and the common mistakes that cost drivers.

• July 12, 2026

  Photographer Tax Deductions: What Freelance and Wedding Photographers Can Write Off

  The full checklist of photographer tax deductions: gear, software, studio, travel, insurance, education, and marketing, plus a worked dollar example.

• July 12, 2026

  The Free Rideshare Tax Spreadsheet Templates We Tested (and Where They Fall Short)

  We tested the free rideshare tax spreadsheets from Shoeboxed and Driversnote against what drivers actually need at tax time, and found the gaps.

• July 12, 2026

  The Photography Business Expense Spreadsheet That Tracks Income, Deductions and Quarterly Tax

  Compare free photography expense spreadsheets to a paid tracker with per-client income, deductible flags, mileage, and a quarterly tax set-aside.

• July 12, 2026

  Uber and Lyft Tax Deductions: The Full Checklist for 2026

  The full checklist of Uber and Lyft tax deductions for 2026: standard mileage vs. actual expenses, phone, tolls, supplies, and what most drivers miss.

• July 11, 2026

  Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Spreadsheet: Choose and Track the Right Payoff Method in Google Sheets

  Compare debt snowball and avalanche with a real interest-saved example, then build a Google Sheets tracker that logs balances, APR, and payoff time.

• July 11, 2026

  Etsy Profit and Fees Tracker in Google Sheets: True Per-Order Math After All Costs

  Build an Etsy profit tracker in Google Sheets that shows true per-order profit after fees, shipping and materials — not just gross sales.

• July 11, 2026

  Freelancer and Maker Quarterly Tax Estimator in Google Sheets

  Build a quarterly tax estimator in Google Sheets: net profit by quarter, a set-aside percentage, and what to actually park before the bill lands.

• July 11, 2026

  Proportional Shared Expenses Calculator for Couples in Google Sheets

  Split shared expenses proportionally by income instead of 50/50, with a worked example and the formulas to build it in Sheets.

• July 11, 2026

  Savings Rate Tracker Google Sheets: Calculate Your Real Progress Automatically

  Stop estimating your savings rate. See exactly how a Google Sheets tracker calculates it from your real income and savings, with a worked example.

• July 11, 2026

  Sinking Funds Calendar Google Sheets: Automate Funding for Annual Bills and Holidays

  Build a sinking funds calendar in Google Sheets that spreads annual bills, holidays and irregular costs into automatic monthly targets.

• June 28, 2026

  10 Google Sheets Formulas Every Budget Spreadsheet Needs (With Examples)

  Copy-paste ready Google Sheets formulas for budget tracking. SUMIFS, QUERY, SPARKLINE, GOOGLEFINANCE, and more with real examples.

• June 28, 2026

  37 Sinking Fund Categories With Suggested Monthly Amounts (2026 List)

  Discover 37 sinking fund categories with 2026 dollar ranges and priority tiers. Complete list organized by life area—home, car, gifts, and more.

• June 28, 2026

  50/30/20 vs Zero-Based Budget: Which Method Fits Your Spreadsheet?

  Compare 50/30/20 and zero-based budgeting with real numbers. See both methods applied to the same income, who each suits, and how to switch methods.

• June 28, 2026

  Budget Spreadsheet vs Budgeting App: Which Actually Works in 2026?

  Compare budget spreadsheets and budgeting apps side-by-side: cost, privacy, control, and abandonment rates. Find the right tool for your financial style.

• June 28, 2026

  Couples Budget Spreadsheet: Budget Together Without the Monthly Fight

  How shared spreadsheets with proportional splits, personal allowances, and monthly money dates eliminate couples budgeting friction.

• June 28, 2026

  Google Sheets Budget Template: Free vs. Paid Options in 2026

  A free Google Sheets budget template (Aspire, Regpaq, Smartsheet) covers most people. Here's when a $9-$29 one-time paid template is worth it instead.

• June 28, 2026

  How to Combine Finances as a Couple: 3 Methods Compared (Fully, Partially, Not at All)

  Compare full merge vs hybrid yours-mine-ours vs separate finances for couples. Real income gap splits, pros/cons, and questions to answer.

• June 28, 2026

  How to Make a Budget Spreadsheet in Google Sheets (Step-by-Step, 20 Minutes)

  How to make a budget spreadsheet in Google Sheets: columns, categories, and copy-paste SUM formulas, in 20 minutes. Or skip to a free pre-built template.

• June 28, 2026

  Personal Finance Tracker in Google Sheets: Free Setup Guide (2026)

  Build a complete personal finance tracker in Google Sheets with net worth, spending, and goals dashboards. Free setup guide for 2026.

• June 28, 2026

  Side Hustle Income Tracker Spreadsheet: Track Every Dollar (and What It Cost You)

  Build a side hustle income tracker with expense, mileage, and tax sinking funds. Track gross vs net per platform, plus e-commerce profitability.

• June 28, 2026

  Sinking Funds Tracker in Google Sheets - Build One or Grab the Template

  Track multiple savings goals with formulas and progress bars. Step-by-step guide to building a sinking funds tracker or using a ready-made template.

• June 28, 2026

  What Is a Sinking Fund? Definition, Examples, and How to Start One

  Learn what a sinking fund is, how it differs from an emergency fund, and step-by-step how to create and track one.