Calculate How Much Money I Need To Make

We advocate the 50/30/20 budget as the best way to spend your money responsibly.

Use our calculator to estimate how you should divide your monthly income into needs, wants and savings.

50/30/20 budget calculator

Our 50/30/20 calculator divides your take-home income into three categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment.

The 50/30/20 budget

Find out how this budgeting approach applies to your money.

Your 50/30/20 numbers:

Savings and debt repayment

Do you know your "want" categories?

Track your monthly spending trends to break down your needs and wants.

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

The 50/30/20 rule is a popular budgeting method that splits your monthly income between three main categories. Here's how it breaks down:

Monthly after-tax income. This figure is your income after taxes have been deducted and the cost of payroll deductions for health insurance, 401(k) contributions or other automatic savings have been added back in.

50% of your income: needs. Necessities are the expenses you can't avoid. This portion of your budget should cover costs such as:

Housing.
Food.
Transportation.
Basic utilities.
Insurance.
Minimum loan payments. Anything beyond the minimum goes into the savings and debt repayment bucket.
Child care or other expenses that need to be covered so you can work.

30% of your income: wants. Distinguishing between needs and wants isn't always easy and can vary from one budget to another. Generally, though, wants are the extras that aren't essential to living and working. They're often for fun and may include:

Monthly subscriptions.
Travel.
Entertainment.
Meals out.

20% of your income: savings and debt. Savings is the amount you sock away to prepare for the future. Devote this chunk of your income to paying down existing debt and creating a comfortable financial cushion to avoid taking on future debt.

How, exactly, to use this part of your budget depends on your situation, but it will likely include:

Starting and growing an emergency fund.
Saving for retirement through a 401(k) and perhaps an individual retirement account.
Paying off debt, beginning with the toxic, high-interest type.

The 50/30/20 budget rule divides take-home income like so: 50% for necessities, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment.

Get more help calculating and monitoring your budget

Do you know your "want" categories?

Track your monthly spending trends to break down your needs and wants.

Want nerdy knowledge that's personalized to your money? Bring all your money into one view, and get tailored insights to make the most of it. Learn more.