Budget Calculator
Free budget calculator using the 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, and more. Calculate needs, wants, and savings allocations from your income.
$
$2,500
50% of income
$1,500
30% of income
$1,000
20% of income
Needs
Wants
Save
Suggested Allocation
Needs (50%)
- • Housing: $1,375
- • Utilities: $250
- • Groceries: $375
- • Transportation: $300
- • Insurance: $200
Wants (30%)
- • Entertainment: $450
- • Dining Out: $375
- • Shopping: $375
- • Subscriptions: $150
- • Hobbies: $150
Savings (20%)
- • Emergency Fund: $300
- • Retirement: $500
- • Goals: $200
Sample Monthly Budgets by Income
| Monthly Income | Housing | Food | Transport | Entertainment | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $3,000 | $900 | $300 | $200 | $100 | $200 |
| $5,000 | $1,500 | $400 | $300 | $200 | $500 |
| $7,500 | $2,000 | $500 | $400 | $400 | $1,000 |
| $10,000 | $2,500 | $600 | $500 | $600 | $1,500 |
Budget Method Guide
50/30/20: 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings. Simple and balanced.
70/20/10: 70% living expenses, 20% savings, 10% debt/giving. More conservative.
Zero-Based: Every dollar has a job. Income minus expenses equals zero.
Envelope: Cash in envelopes for each category. Great for overspenders.
🔒 Fast, free math calculators that run in your browser. No uploads, 100% private.
Last updated: January 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 50/30/20 budget rule?
Allocate 50% of after-tax income to needs (rent, utilities, groceries), 30% to wants (entertainment, dining out), and 20% to savings and debt repayment. It's a simple framework for balanced spending.
What counts as a 'need' vs a 'want'?
Needs are essentials: housing, utilities, basic food, insurance, minimum debt payments, transportation to work. Wants are non-essentials: streaming services, dining out, vacations, upgrades.
How much should I save each month?
Aim for at least 20% of income. Prioritize: 1) Emergency fund (3-6 months expenses), 2) Employer 401k match, 3) High-interest debt, 4) Additional retirement savings, 5) Other goals.
What is zero-based budgeting?
Every dollar gets a specific job so income minus planned expenses equals zero. You track every dollar, which helps identify waste but requires more effort than the 50/30/20 method.
How do I budget with irregular income?
Base your budget on your lowest expected monthly income. In higher-earning months, put extra toward savings or debt. Build a larger emergency fund (6+ months) to smooth out variations.