Budget Planner
Monthly budget by needs, wants and savings with the 50/30/20 check.
About this tool
Monthly take-home income at the top, then expenses grouped as needs, wants and savings or debt repayment. The bars show each group's share against the 50/30/20 guideline, and the summary shows what is left โ or how far over you are. Saved in this browser, exportable as CSV.
A budget you will keep
The 50/30/20 rule โ half of take-home pay on needs, 30% on wants, 20% on savings and debt โ is a starting point, not a law; someone in an expensive city may run needs at 65% and someone with a cleared mortgage at 30%. Its value is the categories: separating needs from wants is the conversation most budgets skip, and the savings line is where progress is made. Fill in real numbers from last month's statements rather than what you intend to spend, then adjust one thing at a time. The tool is arithmetic and a picture; it does not connect to your bank, and it is general information, not financial advice for your situation. Your figures stay on this device. The subscription tracker finds the recurring items you forgot, the savings goal calculator turns the 20% into a date, the credit card payoff calculator shows what the debt line buys, and the net worth calculator tracks the long-run result.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a need?
Anything you would keep paying if you lost your job next month: housing, utilities, groceries, minimum debt payments, insurance, transport to work. Everything else is a want.
What if my needs are over 50%?
That is common with high rents. The rule is a guide; aim to keep the savings line above zero and look at the largest need first, because that is where the leverage is.
Does it connect to my bank?
No. You type the figures, and they are stored only in this browser. Nothing is uploaded โ which is the point for something this personal.
Can I budget by pay period instead of month?
Enter income and expenses per pay period; the percentages work the same.