50/30/20 Budget Calculator
Updated on 20 Oct 2026 · Checked by Aotob
On $4,000 a month, the 50/30/20 rule says save $800 a month.
That leaves $2,000 for needs (rent, bills, food, transport) and $1,200 for wants. You are saving $700 now.
Left to save each month
$70018% of pay
Needs take 57% of your pay, above 50%. Housing is usually the biggest lever.
Show the working
Needs 50% = 2,000 Wants 30% = 1,200 Saving 20% = 800
Yours: 2,300 + 1,000 + 700 = 4,000
Your budget against the rule
| Yours | Rule | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Needs | 2,300 | 2,000 | 300 |
| Wants | 1,000 | 1,200 | -200 |
| Saving | 700 | 800 | -100 |
Questions people ask
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A simple way to split take-home pay: 50% on needs you cannot avoid, 30% on wants, and 20% on saving and paying off debt beyond the minimums.
What counts as a need?
Housing, utilities, groceries, transport to work, insurance and minimum debt payments. If you could cut it without real harm, it is a want.
My needs are over 50%. Now what?
That is common where rents are high. Aim to save something every month, then look at the biggest costs first: housing, car and debt interest.
Updated 20 Oct 2026Source: CFPB budgeting toolsChecked by AotobAn estimate, not financial adviceReport an issue