If you want to track and manage a budget, whether for yourself, your household, or a special event, using Microsoft Excel with a template is a great idea, as you don’t have to start from scratch.

To help you get started, CNBC Select reviewed and compared a variety of free budgeting tools and we narrowed down our best picks for just about anyone: beginners, investors and small business owners.

Whether you prefer a free and simple budget app or a premium ... You can make spreadsheets from scratch or use the many budgeting templates available online or through the apps.

4. Explore other options. 5. Identify room for change. Free online spreadsheets and templates can make budgeting easier. How do you figure out a budget? Start with a financial self-assessment.

we’ve ranked ten of the best budgeting apps available. Mint, previously one of the leading free budgeting apps, is no longer available to download, so it does not appear on this list.

and Finance & Budget. Although most of its templates are available through a paid subscription, there are 10 excellent templates that are absolutely free to use. Auscomp's clean and intuitive ...

We gathered some of our favorite free things to do in Chicago with kids — both indoor and outdoor! And if you’re looking for more budget-friendly ideas, find free local events in our online calendar ...

This affordable and comfortable pair is available in a ton of colors, fits elementary-age to tween kids, and works both wired and wirelessly. Who it’s for: Budget-conscious caregivers seeking a ...

THE first Child Benefit hike above €140 in 13 years and a double payment of the essential cash before Christmas could be on ...

To narrow down our top picks, we focused on those with unique budgeting features, high user ratings and a free trial or refund to test the app out. (See our methodology for more information on ...