Savings Goal Tracker

Who this is for

One goal, counted up deposit by deposit. Name it, set the target and the date, log each amount in, and the running total, the gap and the days left are worked out.

Anyone saving for a specific thing — a deposit, a car, a trip, a course — who wants to see the gap close rather than check a balance and guess.

What this helps you track

• Every deposit, dated, with the total after each one
• How much is saved so far and how much is still to find
• How many days remain before the date you set
• Withdrawals, if any, so the total stays honest

How to use it

1. Write the goal, the target amount, the deadline and where the money is kept at the top.
2. Each time you add money, write the date and the amount on a new row. Enter a withdrawal as a negative amount.
3. The running total column carries down from row to row; the browser and spreadsheet versions do it for you, on paper add each row to the one above.
4. The summary shows saved so far, what remains, the share of the target reached and the days to the deadline.
5. When the goal is reached, note the date at the foot and start a fresh sheet for the next one.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser
• Excel / Google Sheets workbook

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The workbook uses plain formulas only — SUM, IF, COUNTIF and the like — so it opens in Excel, LibreOffice and Google Sheets without anything breaking, and every calculated cell is grey so you can see which figures it worked out.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

How much should I put in each month?

That is the remaining amount divided by the months you have, and it depends entirely on your target and deadline — the sheet shows both so the division is easy, but does not suggest a figure.

Can I track several goals?

One goal per sheet keeps the running total meaningful. Open the browser version in a new tab, or print a second copy, for a second goal. The sinking funds tracker holds several smaller pots on one page.

What happens if I take money out?

Enter it as a negative deposit. The running total and the remaining figure both fall, which is the point.

Does the days-remaining figure update?

In the browser and the workbook it counts from today's date each time the sheet is opened. On paper it is whatever you wrote on the day you filled it in.