📊 Budget Calculator

50% — Needs (Must-haves): Rent/mortgage, groceries, utilities, insurance, minimum debt payments, transportation to work 30% — Wants (Nice-to-haves): Dining out, streaming, gym, travel, hobbies, shopping, entertainment 20% — Savings & Debt: Emergency fund, retirement, investments, extra debt payments, down payment savings

70% — Living Expenses: All monthly expenses (needs + wants) 20% — Savings & Investments: Retirement, emergency fund, goals 10% — Debt repayment or giving: Extra debt payments or charity

Income − All Expenses = $0 Every dollar is assigned a job: Expenses + Savings + Investments = Income Best for: People who want total control Requires: Detailed tracking of every expense Result: No money "just disappears"

Step 1: Decide your savings % (e.g., 20%) Step 2: Auto-transfer savings on payday Step 3: Budget the remaining 80% for expenses "Pay yourself first" removes willpower from saving. You live on whatever is left — automatically saves.

Housing: 33% (rent/mortgage + utilities) Transportation: 16% (car payment, gas, insurance) Food: 13% (groceries + dining out) Healthcare: 8% (insurance + out of pocket) Personal & misc: 8% (clothing, personal care) Entertainment: 5% (streaming, hobbies, travel) Savings: 6% (retirement + other savings) Other: 11% (debt payments, education, etc.) Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey