Free editable template · Variable income

An irregular-income budget that never spends an invoice twice

Variable income needs two plans: a conservative baseline for commitments and a priority ladder for money above that baseline. This template assigns only cash that has arrived while keeping the next important decision visible.

Use this template in Counts

Baseline essentials · 50%

Build this from a low, repeatable income month—not the best month.

Taxes and business reserve · 18%

Adjust with qualified tax guidance for your work and location.

Income buffer · 12%

Build one week, then two weeks, then a future month.

How to keep this budget current

When income arrives

Reserve taxes, then fund obligations by due date and consequence.

Weekly

Update expected income without assigning it before it clears.

Quarterly

Recalculate the baseline from recent low, typical, and high months.