Get a clear picture of where your money goes. Add your income and expenses to see spending breakdowns, savings rate, and personalized recommendations.
2 In-Depth Guides
Master the fundamentals of budgeting with the 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, and practical tips to track spending and save more money.
Read Full GuideMaster the 50/30/20 budget rule with practical examples, personalized adjustments, and tips for high-cost and low-income situations. Start budgeting in under 10 minutes.
Read Full GuideBudgeting is the foundation of financial health. Without knowing where your money goes, it's nearly impossible to save effectively, pay off debt, or invest for the future. Our free budget planner helps you take the first step by giving you a clear, visual breakdown of your income and expenses.
The 50/30/20 rule, popularized by Senator Elizabeth Warren in her book “All Your Worth,” is one of the most widely recommended budgeting frameworks. Here's how each category breaks down:
Our free budget planner analyzes your after-tax income and categorized expenses to give you a comprehensive view of your financial health. You'll see a pie chart breakdown of where your money goes, your net income and savings rate, and personalized recommendations based on the 50/30/20 rule. Use it monthly to track progress and make smarter spending decisions.
The 50/30/20 rule suggests allocating 50% of after-tax income to needs (housing, utilities, groceries), 30% to wants (entertainment, dining out), and 20% to savings and debt repayment. It's a simple framework for balanced budgeting.
Financial experts generally recommend saving at least 20% of your income. However, any amount of savings is better than none. If 20% feels unreachable, start with whatever you can and gradually increase your savings rate over time.
The general guideline is to keep housing costs (rent or mortgage, including utilities and insurance) under 30% of your gross income. In high cost-of-living areas, this may be challenging, but exceeding 30% significantly can strain your budget.
Review your budget at least monthly to track your progress and adjust for changes in income or expenses. Many people find it helpful to do a quick weekly check to stay on track and avoid overspending in any category.
The most common mistakes include: not tracking irregular expenses (annual subscriptions, car maintenance), being too restrictive (which leads to burnout), forgetting about small daily expenses that add up, not adjusting your budget when your life circumstances change, and not having an emergency fund category in your budget.
If your income varies month to month (freelancers, commission-based workers), budget based on your lowest expected monthly income. In months when you earn more, allocate the extra to savings or debt payoff. Build a larger emergency fund (6-12 months) to cover lean months, and consider averaging your income over the past 12 months as a baseline.
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