Is the 50 30 20 rule still valid?

Asked by: Dr. Paul Braun IV  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (34 votes)

The 50/30/20 rule can be a good budgeting method for some, but it may not work for your unique monthly expenses. Depending on your income and where you live, earmarking 50% of your income for your needs may not be enough.

Is 50/30/20 still possible?

Yes, the 50-30-20 rule can be used to save for long-term goals. Allocate a portion of the 20% to savings or the 30% for wants specifically to your long-term goals. These might include a down payment on a house, education funds, or investments. The rule is meant to bring focus to savings.

What is the alternative to the 50 30 20 budget rule?

The 60/30/10 budgeting method says you should put 60% of your monthly income toward your needs, 30% towards your wants and 10% towards your savings. It's trending as an alternative to the longer-standing 50/30/20 method.

Is the 30 rule outdated?

While the world of personal finance provides a percentage guideline for how much of your money should go toward housing, this rule is a little outdated in 2024. Rent prices are down from their peak in August of 2022, but they're still dramatically higher than before the pandemic.

Can you live off $1000 a month after bills?

Making your budget work when you have $1,000 in monthly income is possible, though it might take some serious work. Drastically reducing expenses can be a great place to start, and bringing in more income can of course help, too. Changing banks is one more money-saving tip to know.

Why I Wouldn’t Recommend the 50/30/20 Rule

38 related questions found

What is the 70/20/10 rule money?

First, calculate your monthly take-home pay, then multiply it by 0.70 to get the amount you can spend on living expenses and discretionary purchases, such as entertainment and travel. Next, multiply your monthly income by 0.20 to get your savings allotment and 0.10 to get your debt repayment.

Is $2000 a month enough to live off of?

Retiring on $2,000 per month is very possible,” said Gary Knode, president at Safe Harbor Financial. “In my practice, I've seen it work. The key is reducing expenses and eliminating any market risk that could impact your savings if there were a major market downturn.

Does the 30% rule still apply?

The simple answer is yes, in most cases, but many lending experts suggest using the 30% budget more as a recommendation than a rule.

How much do you need to make to afford $1500 rent?

You must make $5,000 per month to afford a $1,500 monthly rent.

Is 50/30/20 gross or net?

Our 50/30/20 calculator divides your take-home income, or the money that goes into your account after taxes, into suggested spending in three categories: 50% of net pay for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment.

What is one negative thing about the 50/30/20 rule of budgeting?

Some Experts Say the 50/30/20 Is Not a Good Rule at All. “This budget is restrictive and does not take into consideration your values, lifestyle and money goals. For example, 50% for needs is not enough for those in high-cost-of-living areas.

How much to save on an 80k salary?

As a rule of thumb, most financial advisors suggest that you save 10% to 15% of your salary for retirement.

What is the 70 20 10 rule?

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

What is the alternative to the 50-30-20 rule?

Introducing the 70-20-10 rule, a realistic money budgeting rule that can make it easier to save during the cost of living crisis. Read now, save better. Introducing the 70-20-10 rule, an alternative to the old (and maybe outdated) 50-30-20 budgeting rule.

What is the best time to start saving for retirement?

It's best to start saving as early on in your career as you can, but no one has a time machine to go back and begin stashing away money earlier if they procrastinated a little longer than they should have.

How much money should you have left over after bills?

Ideally, you want to have 20% of your take-home pay left over after paying all of your bills. Track spending using an app or spreadsheet to determine why there isn't more money left over after bills. Consider cutting unnecessary bills (like cable, streaming networks, gym memberships) to save money.

How much should I pay in rent if I make $60,000?

The standard advice is that you should set aside about 30% of your gross income for rent. So if you make $60,000 a year, your rent should not exceed $1,500. While this might be plenty for an individual living in a low-cost area, it doesn't work for a family in a pricey neighborhood.

How strict is the 3X rent rule?

The rule suggests that your rent should not exceed one-third of your gross monthly income, providing a practical way for both renters and landlords to assess affordability. For example, if you have a gross monthly income of $5,000, the 3X rent rule means you should aim for rent around $1,666 or less.

Is $1,000 a month too much for rent?

The 30% rule says that no more than 30% of your monthly gross income should go toward your rent. According to this rule, if you make $4,000 a month, you should spend no more than $1,200 per month on rent. Sticking to the 30% rule helps ensure you have enough money left over to save or put toward other expenses.

How much rent can I afford based on hourly pay?

If you're paid a salary, take your annual salary and divide it by 12. If you're paid hourly, multiply your hourly rate by the number of hours you work each month. Take the amount you earn before taxes each month and multiply it by 0.30.

Is the 30% rule gross or net income?

Ever heard of the 30% rule? It's the idea that you should budget a minimum of 30% of your gross monthly income (i.e., your before-tax income) for housing costs, and it's practically a personal finance gospel. Rent calculators often use the 30% rule as a default assumption to determine how much house you can afford.

What is the 30/30/3 rule for home buying?

They believe you should spend no more than 30% of your gross monthly income on your mortgage payment, have at least 30% of the value of your home saved up in liquid or semi-liquid accounts, and look for houses no more than 3x your annual household income.

Can you retire on $4,000 a month?

With $4,000 in monthly costs, your retirement funding challenge calls for $48,000 annually. The 4% safe withdrawal guideline proposes that retirement savings can safely produce 4% income per year, adjusted upwards annually for inflation, with little risk of depletion over a 30-year retirement.

Can you live comfortably on $1,000 a month?

Living on $1,000 per month is a challenge. From the high costs of housing, transportation and food, plus trying to keep your bills to a minimum, it would be difficult for anyone living alone to make this work. But with some creativity, roommates and strategy, you might be able to pull it off.

How much an hour is $2000 a month?

If you make $2,000 per month, your hourly salary would be $11.54. This result is obtained by multiplying your base salary by the amount of hours, week, and months you work in a year, assuming you work 40 hours a week.