50/30/20 Budget Calculator
Enter your monthly take-home income to see a simple split between needs, wants and savings.
How the 50/30/20 rule works
The 50/30/20 rule splits your after-tax monthly income into three buckets:
- 50% needs: rent, groceries, utility bills, transport, school fees, loan installments and other must-pay costs.
- 30% wants: eating out, shopping, subscriptions, entertainment, travel.
- 20% savings: emergency fund, retirement and investments, committees (BC), and paying down debt faster.
Examples
| Monthly income | Needs (50%) | Wants (30%) | Savings (20%) |
|---|
If 50% for needs isn't realistic
In a high-rent city, needs can easily reach 60–70% of a salary. That's fine: pick the 60/20/20 or 70/20/10 split above, then look for one or two categories to trim. The point is to decide your split on purpose instead of finding out at the end of the month.
Frequently asked
Should I use my gross or take-home salary?
Use what actually reaches your account, after tax and deductions.
Where do bills and loan installments go?
Minimum payments on loans and all regular bills count as needs. Extra payments beyond the minimum count as savings.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's a general rule of thumb for planning. See our terms.