Monthly Budget Calculator
A budget is simply income minus everything else — made visible. Enter your take-home pay and spending across seven categories to see exactly where money goes and what remains.
Your results
Charts & visualization
Where the money goes
Category shares of total living expenses.
Income vs expenses
The gap between bars is what savings can capture.
Every chart’s underlying numbers are available as text — use the “view as table” control under each chart.
How it works
The calculator sums seven expense categories against take-home income. Three numbers tell the story:
- Leftover — unassigned income; assign it deliberately or it evaporates.
- Savings rate — savings ÷ income. Rule of thumb: 15%–20% is solid; 30%+ builds serious optionality.
- Expense ratio — how much of each paycheck is already spoken for.
Housing above roughly 30% of take-home is the most common pressure point — visible instantly in the donut chart.
Formula used
Income— take-home (post-tax) amountExpenses— all seven categories combinedTarget— aim for leftover ≥ 5–10% as buffer beyond savings
Example calculation
On $5,000 take-home, these expenses total $3,800, leaving $700 after a $500 savings transfer — a 10.0% savings rate. Housing consumes 30% of income, right at the guideline edge. Redirecting half the “other” category to savings would push the rate past 14% without touching essentials.
Assumptions & limitations
- Monthly figures; annualize irregular bills by dividing by twelve.
- Take-home basis excludes pre-tax deductions already withheld.
- Categories are flexible in spirit — put things where you will actually track them.
- Zero-based budgeting fans: leftover should equal zero with every dollar assigned.
Results are planning estimates based on your inputs and the stated assumptions — not financial advice or a loan offer. Verify important figures with your lender or advisor.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I budget for housing?
Under 30% of take-home income keeps other goals feasible; high-cost areas sometimes stretch to 35–40%, which usually means trimming transportation or discretionary lines to compensate.
What is a good savings rate?
15%–20% of take-home supports typical retirement timelines; early-retirement ambitions run 40%+. Start wherever you are and raise one point per quarter.
Should I budget weekly or monthly?
Monthly matches most bills and income cycles. Weekly check-ins help variable spenders — the categories stay identical either way.
What if my leftover is negative?
Cut before borrowing: subscriptions first, then delivery and dining, then negotiate fixed bills. If essentials alone exceed income, assistance programs and nonprofit credit counseling beat minimum-payment spirals.