Couples Savings Goals & Debt Payoff Planner: Snowball vs Avalanche (Excel + Google Sheets)

The Couples Savings Goals & Debt Payoff Planner is a spreadsheet template for Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets that tracks shared savings goals and compares the debt snowball and avalanche methods to show your debt-free date. It's for couples who save and pay off debt together, and it works for one person too.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

• Couples-Savings-Goals-Debt-Payoff-Planner_BLANK.xlsx: ready for your numbers

• Couples-Savings-Goals-Debt-Payoff-Planner_EXAMPLE.xlsx: filled with sample data so you can see how it works

• Download guide (PDF) with step-by-step Excel and Google Sheets setup

9 TABS

Start Here (built-in quick-start notes) · Setup · Savings Goals · Contributions · Debts · Payoff Plan · Snowball Schedule · Avalanche Schedule · Dashboard

Room for 12 goals, 500 contributions and 8 debts, with payoff plans up to 30 years. Works for one person too.

KEY FEATURES

• Snowball vs avalanche, side by side: months to debt-free, debt-free date, total interest and which debt goes first

• Month-by-month payoff schedules for both methods: minimums on everything, extra money rolls to the next debt as each one is paid off

• Each debt's payoff month under both plans, plus a warning if a minimum payment doesn't cover the interest

• Up to 12 shared savings goals: progress, amount still needed, months left, needed per month and On track / Behind status

• See who's contributing: each goal splits deposits by Partner 1, Partner 2 and Joint

• Dashboard: debt-free countdown, total saved, goal progress, interest saved and 4 charts

HOW IT WORKS

1. Buy and download instantly: your download page opens right after checkout, and the link is also emailed to you.

2. On a computer, open the BLANK file in Microsoft Excel, or upload it to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets (the PDF guide shows both).

3. Start on the Start Here tab and type your numbers into the blue cells. The grey formula cells, summaries and dashboard charts update automatically.

4. Open the EXAMPLE file any time to see how a filled-in version looks.

COMPATIBILITY

✔ Microsoft Excel (Windows and Mac desktop, Microsoft 365)

✔ Google Sheets (free): upload the .xlsx to Google Drive, then Open with Google Sheets. Easy to share with your partner.

✘ Not designed for Apple Numbers or phone screens. A computer is recommended.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Does it work in Excel and Google Sheets?

A: Yes. It works in Microsoft Excel (Windows or Mac desktop, or Microsoft 365) and in Google Sheets, which is free with a Google account. It isn't designed for Apple Numbers.

Q: Should I use Google Sheets or Excel?

A: Either works: the formulas, dropdowns and charts work in both. Choose Excel if you want to keep the file on your computer. Choose Google Sheets if you want a free, browser-based option. It's also the easy way to share one file with your partner. For Google Sheets, upload the .xlsx file to Google Drive, right-click it and choose Open with > Google Sheets, then File > Save as Google Sheets.

Q: Can I use it on my phone or tablet?

A: It's designed for a computer screen, not a phone. Phones often can't open .xlsx downloads, so download and set it up on a computer. Once it's saved as a Google Sheet, you can open it in the Google Sheets mobile app to check your numbers, but a computer is best for setup and data entry.

Q: How do I download it?

A: Right after checkout your download page opens, and the download link is also emailed to you. Download all the files on a computer, then follow the PDF guide to open the BLANK file in Excel or Google Sheets.

Q: Can I customize it?

A: Yes. Enter your names, goal categories and monthly debt budget in the blue cells on the Setup tab and the rest of the workbook updates. Formula cells are locked without a password so they can't be overwritten by accident. To change formulas or the layout, unprotect the tab: Review > Unprotect Sheet in Excel, or Data > Protect sheets and ranges in Google Sheets.

Q: Can I get a refund?

A: Yes, within 14 days of purchase, in two cases: a file has a problem I can't fix, or you bought the same product twice by mistake. Email todorgan@gmail.com with your order details.

GOOD TO KNOW

• This is a digital product. Nothing will be shipped.

• The payoff plan assumes fixed interest rates and no new charges. Update balances monthly for the most accurate dates.

• Amounts are shown in US dollars ($). Any currency works; change the cell format if you like.

• For personal use. Please don't share or resell the files.

• Questions or a problem with a file? Email todorgan@gmail.com.

AI disclosure: this template was designed with the help of AI tools. The formulas, layout and example data were reviewed and tested before release.