50/30/20 Budget Calculator
The 50/30/20 rule divides your take-home pay into three buckets: 50% needs, 30% wants, and 20% savings. A simple framework to stop overspending and start building wealth.
$
Gross Monthly$5,000
Est. Tax (~27%)-$1,350
Take-Home$3,650
50%
Needs
$1,825
Housing, groceries, utilities, minimum debt payments
30%
Wants
$1,095
Dining out, subscriptions, entertainment, travel
20%
Savings
$730
Emergency fund, retirement (15%), extra debt payments
What counts as "Needs" vs "Wants"?
Needs (50%)
Rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments, transportation to work
Wants (30%)
Restaurants, Netflix, gym, new clothes (beyond basics), vacations, hobbies