FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
All of the spreadsheets created by EZSpreadsheets4Life are currently designed for Google Sheets only. Their functionality is not guaranteed in any other program such as Microsoft Excel, Numbers for Mac, GoodNotes, etc. You will need a Google account (which is free) to access this spreadsheet.
Occasionally, Google will leave a file in “View Only” mode. To fix this issue so you can edit your spreadsheet, click File > Make a copy. This action will create a copy of the spreadsheet with full access.
Follow these steps if you’ve tried making a copy of the file and still can’t edit:
– Make sure you are logged into your Google Drive.
– Do not use an Incognito window.
– If you are on a mobile device, try opening the file on a desktop or laptop.
– Try a different browser that is up to date.
– Check the space on your Google Drive. If your Drive is full, you won’t be able to open and edit new files. You can see how much space you have by going to drive.google.com and looking at “Storage” on the left menu.
If you are still having difficulty opening and/or editing your spreadsheet, please contact us through our Etsy shop page.
To use your spreadsheet for any month or year, all you have to do is make a duplicate of the tab you want to use. Simply click the small triangle on the tab 
Google Sheets does allow users to edit their files even if they are not connected to the internet. However, you must enable offline access *before* you go offline. Go to Google’s help page to get full instructions.
You can change the six main theme colors by following these steps:
– Click on the Fill icon at the top 
– Click the pencil icon next to “CUSTOM”
– This will open up a side panel on the right. Scroll down to see accent colors. Click the dropdown arrow to choose a different color.
– Any color changes will be applied throughout the whole spreadsheet.
There are other colors that are not part of the main theme colors and cannot be changed with the above process. If you’d like to change these non-theme colors, follow these steps:
– Select the cells you want to change. You can hold down the SHIFT key to select multiple cells that are adjacent to each other, or you can hold down the CTRL (or CMD) key to select multiple non-adjacent cells.
– While the cells are highlighted, click on the Fill icon at the top
– Choose the new color you want to apply.
This change will only apply to the cells that were selected.
Yes, you can add more rows to your spreadsheet! Keep in mind that when you add a row to one category table, you are actually adding a new row across the entire spreadsheet. Just follow these steps:
1. Identify which category table you want to add rows to.
2. Locate the last row in the table *right before* the TOTALS row, and click in any cell.
3. Look on the very left side of the spreadsheet to see which row number is highlighted, and click on that number. The entire row should now be highlighted.
4. Right-click on the row number and select ‘Insert 1 row above’. Now you have a new row added to the table, but you still need to format the new row.
5. Click on the last row number again to highlight, then hit CTRL-C to copy.
6. Click on the NEW row number to highlight, and hit CTRL-V to paste. The new row should now be formatted like the bottom row.
Although you will receive a warning before changing any cell that’s protected, it’s still possible to accidentally delete a formula unintentionally. If you do, follow these steps:
– To restore most deleted formulas, you can simply click in a similar cell (typically one just above or below, which performs the same function), select CTRL-C to copy the similar cell, then CTRL-V to paste the formatting and formula into the deleted cell.
– If you deleted a formula that is unique (such as the currency or the graphs), you can copy the same cell from the BUDGET EXAMPLE spreadsheet and paste into the deleted cell.
– If you feel you want to completely start over, and you do not have a copy,, you can always download the spreadsheet again from your Etsy purchases page.
*Spreadsheets only function correctly when the formulas are functioning correctly. If one formula is changed or deleted, this action could potentially result in inaccurate data, or an error message. For this reason, we’ve protected the spreadsheet to minimize any accidental deletions so you can continue to use it with confidence. Please message us if you continue to experience difficulty.
Once you’ve changed the location in Google Sheets to reflect your country of residence (File > Settings > General tab > Locale & Time Zone), you can also change the date formatting to your preference.
1. Choose the cells you want to format. You can hold down the SHIFT key to select multiple cells that are adjacent to each other, or you can hold down the CTRL (or CMD) key to select multiple non-adjacent cells.
2. On the top menu, click Format > Number. From here, you can choose one of the suggested formats, or select Custom Date and Time at the very bottom.
We have added an extra layer of protection to your spreadsheet to prevent accidental changes or deletions. However, if you are an experienced Google Sheet user, you may want to remove the sheet protection. Just follow these steps:
1. From the top menu, click Data > Protected sheets and ranges. This action will open a right panel on the screen with a list of all protected ranges.
2. Choose the range you want to remove protection from.
3. Click on the trash can to delete.
*We highly recommend you do NOT remove sheet protection. Changing or deleting formulas will alter the functionality of the spreadsheet, which may result in inaccurate data or error messages.
Yes, you can access your spreadsheet on a mobile device. We recommend downloading the Google Sheets app to your tablet or mobile phone for easier access and navigation.
A great benefit of using Google Sheets for your budget is that you can share the file with other Google users, who can then access it from anywhere online.
This is very helpful when you are budgeting with a partner, so you can both access the budget spreadsheet at any time and have the same information.
Here is how to share your spreadsheet with another Google user:
1. Open the spreadsheet file
2. Click on the SHARE button in the top right
3. In the text bar that says “Add people and groups”, enter the email addresses of anyone you want to share the file with.
4. Choose the level of access you want them to have Viewer – can only view the spreadsheet; no editing privileges
> Editor – can view and edit the spreadsheet
> Owner – can view, edit, and remove you from access
5. Type in a message if you like (optional)
6. Click Send
Choose subcategory names that are easy for you to associate with that specific expense. If you’d like some ideas, check out the bonus download, “Monthly Budget Categories”. You’ll find a direct link at the bottom of the Instruction tab of your spreadsheet.
If, for any reason, you feel you want to start over with a blank spreadsheet, you can always download the file again from your Etsy purchases page. Just make sure you are signed in with the email address you were logged in with when you made the purchase.
We frequently update our spreadsheet selection so please check our Etsy shop page for more options!
If you are new to budgeting, jumping in with a spreadsheet may seem overwhelming. For this reason, we have outlined step by step instructions (with screenshots) on the first tab of your spreadsheet. If you are a visual learner, or you would like more detail, please watch our 30-minute instructional video. You’ll find a direct link on the Instructions tab of your spreadsheet.
If you’re new to budgeting, I just want to say congratulations! Taking this important step will start you on your way to achieving your financial goals and greater financial security.
Starting a budget for the first time takes some awareness of your current financial habits and circumstances. You’ll need to gather the information that tells you how much money is coming in and going out. A spreadsheet is a great tool for this!
Use the budget spreadsheet to create lists of income sources, monthly bills, debt accounts, saving funds, variable expenses, and charitable donations. Determine amounts you *expect* to spend, and enter amounts you *actually* spend. This will let you know where you’re overspending and where you’re staying within your budget.
An important part of budgeting for a new budgeter is to account for every dollar. This means you should allocate 100% of your actual income to your main budget categories. This will ensure you are using every dollar with a purpose and not letting money fall through the cracks. If you don’t know where to put any money left over at the end of the budget cycle, a savings fund is always a great place!
You can break the paycheck to paycheck cycle by either reducing your monthly spending or increasing your income.
A budget will tell you what expenses you should reduce or even eliminate. If you want to make more money, check out our bonus download, “101 Side Hustle Ideas”. You’ll find a direct link at the bottom of the Instruction tab of your spreadsheet.
Both the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods are budgeting strategies developed by financial expert Dave Ramsey.
With the debt snowball method, you prioritize your debt payoff plan by making the largest payment toward the debt with the smallest balance. Any extra funds, over and above the minimum payment, should be paid to the smallest balance only. All other balances are paid the minimum monthly payment. When the smallest balance is paid off, you would take that payment and apply it to the minimum payment of the next smallest balance. This creates a “snowball” effect as you continue to roll over the smallest balance payment as each is paid off.
The debt avalanche method is similar in its process, except the priority is the debt with the highest interest. Make your largest payment to the balance with the highest rate until that balance is paid off. Then, “roll over” that payment to the balance with the next highest interest payment, as you continue to make minimum payments on all of your other balances.
Overspending is a result of poor money habits. These habits could include impulse spending, living beyond your means, avoiding debt payoff, not planning ahead, and feeling obligated to take on major expenses.
These habits are frequently connected to emotional or psychological triggers, and an unhealthy money mindset.
A powerful way to overcome bad spending habits is to identify those money beliefs that are keeping you from reaching your financial goals. Perhaps you feel you have to keep up with your family or friends, or you spend impulsively when you feel lonely or upset. Then, create a list of financial goals that you have an emotional connection to. Once you’re aware of what’s triggering your overspending, and you have meaningful goals you’re working toward, you’ll start to develop better money habits.
All sales are final with digital downloads. We don’t accept returns, exchanges or order cancellations due to the nature of digital purchases. However, we will do all we can to ensure your satisfaction with your purchase!