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50/30/20 Budget Calculator: Where Does Your Money Go?
Where does your money actually go? Type your take-home pay and what you spend in a normal month to see your split between needs, wants and savings, how it compares with the 50/30/20 rule, and how much isn't planned at all.
50/30/20 is a rule of thumb, not a law: with high rent, needs often take more than half. Use take-home pay (after tax and pension).
Turn the split into a full 2027 budgetThe 2027 Budget Planner runs payday to payday, saves for irregular bills, rolls leftovers over and plans your debt payoff.
2027 Budget Planner – Paycheck Budget Spreadsheet, 3-Paycheck Months, Sinking Funds & Debt Snowball (US): $7.99 →
The 50/30/20 rule
- 50% needs: rent or mortgage, bills, food shopping, transport and minimum debt payments.
- 30% wants: eating out, subscriptions, clothes, hobbies and nights out.
- 20% savings and extra debt payments: an emergency fund, sinking funds for yearly bills, and paying debt off faster.
If your numbers don't fit
- Needs over 60%? Common with high rent. Protect the savings slice and trim wants first.
- Money left over? Give it a job before payday: a savings pot or a debt, or it tends to disappear.
- Spending more than you earn? List every subscription and direct debit: they're the quickest to cut.
Paid every two weeks? Find the months with a third paycheck in the 2027 payday calendar.
Questions
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A budgeting rule of thumb: 50% of take-home pay on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and extra debt payments.
Is 50/30/20 based on gross or net pay?
Take-home (net) pay: what lands in your account after tax.
What if my rent is more than half my pay?
Then needs will be over 50%. Keep something going to savings and cut wants first.