Income Sources
Add all sources of household income. The calculator will normalize everything to monthly amounts.
Fixed Expenses
Regular bills that stay the same each month.
Variable Expenses
Spending that changes month to month.
Budgeting Method
The 50/30/20 rule can be a quick starting point—adjust to your situation.
Financial Goals
Spending by Category
Income vs Expenses
Budget Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start budgeting as a young family?
Start by tracking all income and expenses for one month to understand your spending patterns. Then use this calculator to set realistic categories based on your actual spending. Focus on one financial goal at a time, like building an emergency fund.
What's the 50/30/20 rule and when to use it?
The 50/30/20 rule suggests spending 50% of after-tax income on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings/debt repayment. It works well as a starting framework but should be adjusted based on your specific financial situation and goals.
How big should an emergency fund be?
A common guideline is saving 3-6 months of essential expenses. Start with a smaller goal of $1,000, then build up to cover 3 months of necessary expenses, and eventually 6 months if you have variable income or work in an unstable industry.
How can I reduce variable expenses without stress?
Focus on one category at a time rather than cutting everything at once. Look for subscriptions you don't use, cook at home more often, and implement a 24-hour waiting period for non-essential purchases. Small, consistent changes are more sustainable than drastic cuts.
How do I export and share this budget?
Use the "CSV" button to download all your budget data as a spreadsheet. The "Share" button creates a read-only link to your current budget setup. For printing, use the "Print" button which optimizes the layout for paper.