Free workbook · Step-by-step guide
Savings Goal Tracker
Excel template.
Subtract the amount already saved from your target, then divide by your monthly contribution. This free Excel savings tracker calculates the remaining amount and estimated months for up to ten goals, without assuming interest or investment returns.
By Devon Coombs, CPA, MBA · Assistant Teaching Professor of Finance and Faculty Director of Real Estate Finance, Santa Clara University · Guide reviewed October 10, 2026
How long will it take to save for a goal?
- Replace the sample goals with your target amounts and what you have already set aside.
- Enter a positive monthly contribution for each goal. Check that the combined contributions fit your budget.
- Review the remaining amount and months to target. Round up to a whole contribution month when planning a deadline.
- Update the saved balance as money is added or withdrawn. Do not allocate the same dollars to multiple goals.
Worked example
A $10,000 goal in 20 months
- Target
- $10,000
- Already saved
- −$2,000
- Still needed
- $8,000
- Monthly contribution
- $400
$8,000 ÷ $400 = 20 months, before interest and assuming the target does not change.
Know what the model leaves out
The workbook does not project interest, inflation, taxes, or changing contributions. A zero contribution cannot fund an unmet goal. Money needed soon should not be treated as certain future investment gains.
Common questions
Does the savings goal template include compound interest?
No. Its months-to-goal estimate uses the remaining amount divided by monthly saving. Use the linked savings calculator if you want to explore an assumed return, and keep the uncertainty in that assumption visible.
How much should I save each month for a deadline?
Divide the remaining target by the number of months available. For an $8,000 gap and a 16-month deadline, that is $500 a month before interest.
Build the next part of your plan
Built as an Excel workbook. If you import it into Google Sheets or Numbers, check formulas and formatting before relying on the results. Devon Coombs Academy is an independent educational resource; these downloads are not an official Santa Clara University product or personalized financial advice.