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50/30/20 budget calculator

The 50/30/20 rule splits net income three ways: half for essentials, a third for lifestyle, a fifth for savings. Plug in what you currently spend to see where you stand.

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Your result

Fill in the fields above and click Calculate — your personalised plan appears here in a moment.

What this calculator is useful for

The 50/30/20 rule splits net income three ways: half for essentials, a third for lifestyle, a fifth for savings. Plug in what you currently spend to see where you stand.

Use it when you need a quick budget baseline, not a rigid rule. The split is helpful because it forces needs, wants and savings into separate buckets before small expenses blur together.

How to read the result

Compare the suggested amounts with your actual spending. A category that is above the rule is not automatically wrong, but it should explain something concrete: rent, transport, debt, family support or a short-term goal.

What to check next

If the result feels unrealistic, adjust the plan around fixed costs first. Reducing flexible spending helps only after essentials, debt minimums and savings targets are visible.

Plain-language notes

Use this section if the finance words on the page are new to you. The calculator is meant to support a decision, not to reward perfect terminology.

  • Budget rule: a starting split for income, not a law. Adjust it if rent, childcare, debt, or local prices make the rule unrealistic.

  • Budget category: a named bucket such as housing, food, transport, or savings. Clear buckets make leaks easier to spot.

What to compare

Compare at least two scenarios before trusting the first answer. A useful result should tell you what changes if income, costs, rates, or timing move.

Frequently asked questions

What does 50/30/20 actually cover?
50% needs (rent, utilities, groceries, insurance, transport to work). 30% wants (eating out, subscriptions, hobbies, holidays). 20% savings + debt repayment beyond minimums.
What if my rent alone is over 50%?
Common in major EU cities. The rule is a target, not a law. Either lower wants (shrink the 30%) or grow income; cutting savings should be the last resort.
Is 20% savings enough?
It's a floor, not a ceiling. If retirement is more than 30 years away, 15–20% is reasonable; closer to retirement aim higher.

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