Budgeting
Budget Calculator (50/30/20)
See a recommended needs/wants/savings breakdown for your take-home pay, and compare it to your actual spending.
Ad space
<!-- Replace with your AdSense ad unit code once approved -->
Estimate only — not advice.
This tool provides a simplified, general estimate for educational purposes.
It is not financial, tax, or legal advice, and it is not affiliated with
the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or any lender. See our full
disclaimer for what this calculator does and doesn't account for.
What this estimate assumes
- Uses the 50/30/20 rule: 50% of take-home pay toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings or extra debt payoff — a widely used starting guideline, not a rule that fits every situation or city.
- Leave "actual needs" and "actual wants" blank (or 0) to just see the recommended dollar breakdown for your income. Fill them in to compare what you're really spending against the target.
- "Needs" vs. "wants" is a judgment call only you can make — this tool doesn't categorize your spending for you.
Ad space
<!-- Replace with your AdSense ad unit code once approved -->