Budget Calculator (50/30/20 Rule)
Split your monthly take-home pay into needs, wants and savings. You can change the percentages to fit your life.
Example budgets
$3,000 take-home$1,500
$4,000 take-home$2,000
$6,000 take-home, saving 30%$3,000
How this calculator works
The 50/30/20 rule puts 50 percent of take-home pay toward needs (rent, food, bills), 30 percent toward wants and 20 percent toward savings or debt. Each amount here is your take-home pay times the percentage. If your percentages do not add up to 100, the last row will show it.
FAQ
What counts as a need?
Housing, utilities, groceries, transport, insurance and minimum debt payments.
What if my needs are above 50 percent?
That is common in expensive areas. Try lowering wants a little or raising income over time.
Is this a strict rule?
No. It is a simple starting point to adjust.
Rates and limits last updated: October 2026. This is an estimate for general information only, not financial, tax or legal advice.