Bills and budget
A simple weekly cost-of-living planner for Australian households
You do not need a complicated spreadsheet to start noticing where your money needs to go. A single weekly page can bring bills, groceries, fuel and everyday spending into one place.
Start with money available
Write down your take-home income for the week and any money already put aside for that week's costs. Keep money reserved for later bills separate so it does not look available for everyday spending.
Plan the essentials first
Add housing, bills, groceries, transport, health essentials and repayments. Then allow for other spending and a buffer where possible. If your plan exceeds the money available, review optional spending and upcoming payment timing before adding a sale purchase.
Allow for bills that arrive less often
For a future bill, divide the amount still needed by the weeks left before its due date. For example, an illustrative $240 bill due in six weeks needs $40 per week if nothing has been set aside. For an ongoing monthly bill, multiplying by 12 and dividing by 52 gives an average weekly set-aside; check the next due date because an average does not solve a near-term shortfall.
Avoid counting the same bill twice
Count a weekly set-aside as an allocation. When you later pay the bill from that reserved money, do not add a second allocation for the same amount. The bills-to-remember section is a reminder, not an extra total.
Review gently at the end of the week
Fill in actual amounts and choose one manageable adjustment. That might be checking a subscription, planning two lunches or setting a grocery limit. A planner helps you see the situation; it cannot make an income shortfall disappear. Download the Weekly Cost-of-Living Planner and start with the week you are in. All amounts are in Australian dollars.
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Keep it simple, on one page
Print a fresh copy whenever you need it. No purchase required.
Useful official resources
Official resources checked 1 October 2026. Examples are illustrative; prices and personal circumstances vary.
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