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50/30/20 budget calculator

One number in, a full starting budget out. Then enter what you actually spend and see where the money is really going.

After taxes and deductions — what actually lands in your account.

Your actual monthly spending

Your actual spending (optional — to compare)

Needs (50%)

$2,000

Wants (30%)

$1,200

Savings (20%)

$800

The 50/30/20 guideline for $4,000/month

Needs

Rent, groceries, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments, transport to work.

Wants

Restaurants, streaming, travel, hobbies, the nicer apartment than you strictly need.

Savings & extra debt payoff

Emergency fund, retirement, investing, payments beyond the minimums.

Fill in your actual spending on the left to see where you run over or under the guideline — even rough guesses are revealing.

50/30/20 is a starting point, not a law — high-rent cities often need 60/20/20. The full method (and the zero-based alternative) is in 50/30/20 & zero-based budgeting.