How to use the Monthly Budget Calculator
- Enter your take-home salary and any other income.
- Fill in your needs: rent, groceries, bills, transport, school fees and loans.
- Fill in your wants and planned saving.
- See what's left and how your spending compares with the 50/30/20 rule.
How it's calculated
Show the formula
Left = income − needs − wants − planned saving
50/30/20 guide: needs ≤ 50% · wants ≤ 30% · savings ≥ 20%
50/30/20 guide: needs ≤ 50% · wants ≤ 30% · savings ≥ 20%
The 50/30/20 rule is a simple guide: about half your income on needs, up to 30% on wants and at least 20% saved. Money left at month end is counted as savings.
Worked example
These are the example numbers the calculator opens with. Change any of them above to see your own result.
You enter
| Salary (after tax) | Rs 1,80,000 |
|---|---|
| Other income | Rs 20,000 |
| Rent | Rs 45,000 |
| Groceries | Rs 35,000 |
| Electricity, gas & water | Rs 18,000 |
| Transport & fuel | Rs 15,000 |
| School fees | Rs 12,000 |
| Loan payments | Rs 0 |
| Eating out & fun | Rs 12,000 |
| Shopping & other | Rs 10,000 |
| Planned saving | Rs 30,000 |
You get
| Left at month end | Rs 23,000 |
|---|---|
| Status | Within budget |
| Needs · aim for 50% or less | Rs 1,25,000 (63%) |
| Wants · aim for 30% or less | Rs 22,000 (11%) |
| Savings · aim for 20% or more | Rs 53,000 (27%) |
| Total income | Rs 2,00,000 |
Tips
- Track spending for one month to fill in real numbers, not guesses.
- If needs are above 50%, look at rent, transport or bills first.
- Pay yourself first: move savings out on salary day.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A simple budget guide: about 50% of income on needs, up to 30% on wants and at least 20% saved or used to pay off debt.
My needs are more than 50%. Is that wrong?
Not necessarily; in high-cost cities it is common. Use the rule as a target, and try to keep saving something every month.
Where do school fees go?
They are a need. Tuition, books and transport for children are counted with needs.