50-20-30 Rule - Financial Wellness Calculator (2024)

50-20-30 Rule - Financial Wellness Calculator (1)

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The 50-20-30 Rule helps to build a budget by following three spending categories: Needs, Debt/Savings, and Wants. 50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).

Enter Your Monthly Income

The 50-20-30 Rule helps to build a budget by following three spending categories: Needs, Debt/Savings, and Wants. 50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).

Begin by entering your total net monthly income (after taxes) from all sources.

Enter Your Monthly Expenses

Expense Type

Current Expenses

% of Income

Utilities Cable/internet, electric, gas, water, sewer, phone
Transportation Car loan/lease, gas, insurance, public transportation
Food Groceries, dining out, take-out/delivery, pet food
Health & Dependent Care Out of pocket copays, daycare, elderly care
Household Maintenance Repairs, replacements, cleaning supplies, lawn care
Debt/Loans Credit card debt, school loans, payday loans
Savings Emergency fund, bank savings, Roth IRAs, brokerage accounts
Personal and Family Care Grooming, clothing, gym memberships, hobbies
Leisure Activities Vacations and get-aways, movies, concerts, sporting events
Other Expenses Charitable donations, birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, tithing

TOTAL

Budget Category

Goal

Actual

Needs

50%

{{ chartKeyNeeds }}%

Debt/Savings

20%

{{ chartKeyDebts }}%

Wants/Discretionary Spending

30%

{{ chartKeyWants }}%

You have a monthly budget surplus of {{ totalDifference | currency: '$': 2 }}

Your monthly expenses equal your monthly income.

You have a monthly budget shortfall of {{ totalDifference | currency: '$': 2 }}

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System 50-20-30 Rule - Financial Wellness Calculator (2)

Retirement Gap Calculator

Use our Gap Calculator tool to calculate the difference between the income you'll need during retirement and the income you'll receive from your pension.

50-20-30 Rule - Financial Wellness Calculator (2024)

FAQs

What is the 50 30 20 rule in your financial plan? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.

What does the 50 3020 financial rule of thumb suggest that 30% of income be used for? ›

The idea is to divide your income into three categories, spending 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for high income? ›

Our 50/30/20 calculator divides your take-home income into suggested spending in three categories: 50% of net pay for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment. Find out how this budgeting approach applies to your money.

What are the flaws of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

Minimal focus on debt repayment: while the 50 30 20 rule allocates 20% of income towards savings and debt repayment, it may not prioritise debt repayment effectively for individuals with substantial debts.

What is the disadvantage of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

It may not work for everyone. Depending on your income and expenses, the 50/30/20 rule may not be realistic for your individual financial situation. You may need to allocate a higher percentage to necessities or a lower percentage to wants in order to make ends meet. It doesn't account for irregular expenses.

What is the 40 40 20 budget rule? ›

The 40/40/20 rule comes in during the saving phase of his wealth creation formula. Cardone says that from your gross income, 40% should be set aside for taxes, 40% should be saved, and you should live off of the remaining 20%.

What is the 50 30 20 rule financial experts recommend monthly savings of? ›

At least 20% of your income should go towards savings. Meanwhile, another 50% (maximum) should go toward necessities, while 30% goes toward discretionary items.

Is the 50/30/20 rule gross or net? ›

50% of your net income should go towards living expenses and essentials (Needs), 20% of your net income should go towards debt reduction and savings (Debt Reduction and Savings), and 30% of your net income should go towards discretionary spending (Wants).

Can you live off $1000 a month after bills? ›

Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.

What is the alternative to the 50 30 20 rule? ›

The 60/30/10 budgeting method involves allotting 60% of your monthly income toward your needs, 30% toward your wants and 10% toward your savings. The format may look familiar as it follows the same structure as the long-standing 50/30/20 budgeting method.

What is the 70 20 10 budget rule? ›

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

How do you stick to a 50 30 20 budget? ›

Here's what a budget that adheres to the 50/30/20 rule looks like:
  1. Spend 50% of your money on needs. ...
  2. Spend 30% of your money on wants. ...
  3. Stash 20% of your money for savings. ...
  4. Calculate your after-tax income. ...
  5. Categorize your spending for the past month. ...
  6. Evaluate and adjust your spending to match the 50/30/20 rule.
Aug 12, 2022

What is the 50 30 20 rule of budgeting examples? ›

For example, if you earn ₹ 1 lakh, you can allocate ₹ 50,000 to your needs, ₹ 30,000 to your wants and ₹ 20,000 to your savings, every month.

How to start following the 50 30 20 rule to eliminate budgeting stress? ›

The 50/30/20 rule can make budgeting easier. The rule allocates 50% of your take-home pay to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings. Debt payments are technically in the savings bucket. You'll need to decide how to split that 20% between debt payments above the minimums and cash savings.

How to calculate monthly living expenses? ›

Simply add up all of your monthly fixed expenses, like rent or a mortgage payment, and your variable expenses, such as groceries and gas costs. Also factor in occasional but expected purchases, such as new tires. The resulting amount, assuming you aren't going to debt every month, is your cost of living.

How do you calculate disposable income? ›

What is Disposable Personal Income? After-tax income. The amount that U.S. residents have left to spend or save after paying taxes is important not just to individuals but to the whole economy. The formula is simple: personal income minus personal current taxes.

Does the 50 30 20 rule still apply? ›

If the 50/30/20 budget was once considered the golden standard of budgeting, it's not anymore. But there are budgeting methods out there that can help you reach your financial goals. Here are some expert-recommended alternatives to the 50/30/20.

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