Budgeting
Split your income into needs, wants and savings.
A simple, editable 50/30/20 budget split for your monthly income.
Budget calculator
A simple 50/30/20 split — needs, wants, and savings — for your monthly income
Needs · 50%
£1,250
rent, bills, groceries, transport
Wants · 30%
£750
eating out, subscriptions, hobbies
Savings · 20%
£500
savings, investing, debt overpayment
Savings % is whatever's left after Needs and Wants. The classic split is 50/30/20, but adjust the two boxes above to fit your own budget — the calculator does the rest.
The 50/30/20 rule is a starting point, not a rule book: 50% of take-home pay covers needs like rent, bills and groceries, 30% covers wants like eating out and subscriptions, and the remaining 20% goes to savings, investing or paying down debt. If your rent alone eats more than half your income — common in expensive UK cities — the ratios simply shift; the tool updates instantly so you can see what's realistic for your own budget rather than a national average.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 50/30/20 budgeting rule?
It splits take-home pay into 50% for needs (rent, bills, groceries), 30% for wants (eating out, subscriptions), and 20% for savings or debt repayment.
Is the 50/30/20 rule right for everyone?
It's a starting point, not a fixed rule — if rent alone takes more than half your income, the ratios simply need to shift to fit your actual budget.