Personally I have my budget spreadsheet with all of my expenses in columns. Then I have a column showing my estimated paycheck (updating with actual# later). Then the formula in the "Remaining" column that I use is this: sum((A1:A99)-A100) Where A1 through A99 (or whatever# of expenses you have) and -A100 or whatever cell name your paycheck/money is entered into - and that's all I do. I actually have a 3 year budget, including birthdays, holidays, vacations, etc. so that you can plan ahead for any expenses and save away any extra.