Wealthy PotBudget Calculator (50/30/20)
Split your monthly take-home pay into needs, wants, and savings with the 50/30/20 rule — or your own split. A simple monthly budget planner.
Turn your paycheck into a plan
The hardest part of budgeting is deciding where each dollar should go. Enter your monthly take-home pay and this calculator splits it into needs, wants, and savings using the 50/30/20 rule — or pick a different split if your situation calls for it.
The three buckets
- Needs (50%) — rent or mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, transport, and minimum debt payments.
- Wants (30%) — dining out, streaming, hobbies, travel, the flexible spending you could cut if you had to.
- Savings & debt payoff (20%) — emergency fund, retirement, investments, and any debt payments above the minimum.
Make it stick
A budget only works if you actually follow it. Automate the savings slice so it leaves your account on payday, and consider zero-based budgeting if you want every dollar assigned a job. A budgeting app can track the rest for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
It splits your after-tax income into three buckets: 50% needs (rent, utilities, groceries, minimum debt payments), 30% wants (dining out, subscriptions, fun), and 20% savings and extra debt payoff. It is a simple starting framework, not a strict law.
Should I use take-home or gross income?
Use take-home (after-tax) pay — the money that actually lands in your account. If taxes and benefits come out before you see your paycheck, budget from what is left.
What if my needs are more than 50%?
Very common in high-cost areas. Treat the percentages as targets, not rules: trim the wants bucket first, and protect the savings slice however small. Even 10% saved beats nothing while you work toward the goal.