What is the 50-30-20 rule of money?

Asked by: Chloe Torp  |  Last update: January 28, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (71 votes)

Key Takeaways. The 50-30-20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should dedicate 20% to savings, leaving 30% to be spent on things you want but don't necessarily need.

Is the 50 30 20 rule a good idea?

It absolutely is. The reason the rule exists is to make sure your expenses are in proportion to your income. It may be harder to achieve this now than before but if you can't achieve it, that means your expenses are too high or your salary is too low.

What is the 75 15 10 rule?

Quick Take: The 75/15/10 Budgeting Rule

The 75/15/10 rule is a simple way to budget and allocate your paycheck. This is when you divert 75% of your income to needs such as everyday expenses, 15% to long-term investing and 10% for short-term savings. It's all about creating a balanced and practical plan for your money.

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.

What is a 50/30/20 budget example?

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals. Let's take a closer look at each category.

How To Manage Your Money Like The 1%

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How to budget $3,000 a month?

Here's an example: If you make $3,000 each month after taxes, $1,500 should go toward necessities, $900 for wants and $600 for savings and debt paydown. Find out how this budgeting approach applies to your money.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for 401k?

Key Takeaways

The 50-30-20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should dedicate 20% to savings, leaving 30% to be spent on things you want but don't necessarily need.

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.

How much money does the average person have left after bills?

According to Planet Money and The Atlantic, people earning $150,000 and over each year have approximately 40% of income left over after essentials, while those starting out in their careers or others who are likely to struggle with bill payments only have 15% left over.

What is the 40-40-20 budget rule?

The 40/40/20 rule comes in during the saving phase of his wealth creation formula. Cardone says that from your gross income, 40% should be set aside for taxes, 40% should be saved, and you should live off of the remaining 20%.

What is the 7 out of 10 rule?

This is where the 7/10 rule comes in. A rating of 7 is where you have managed to get the job done. You know there was an extra rep in the tank or another couple of miles if you were asked to do them, but on the whole you got what you were looking for from the days work and will be able to get the benefit later on.

What is the 10 payment rule?

More often than not, an installment loan (i.e. car loan or student loan) can be excluded during the approval process so long as you only have 10 payment or less to make. While some lenders have their own restrictions, most conventional and unconventional mortgage products allow you to exclude this debt.

Is 50/30/20 gross or net?

50/30/20 Budget Example

Well, let's say your gross monthly income is $6,360. But after taxes and benefit deductions, you take home about $5,000 each month. If you use the 50/30/20 method to budget, you'd have $2,500 for your needs (50%), $1,500 for your wants (30%), and $1,000 for your savings (20%).

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 should rent be of income?

It is recommended that you spend 30% of your monthly income on rent at maximum, and to consider all the factors involved in your budget, including additional rental costs like renters insurance or your initial security deposit.

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.

Where can I live on $1,700 a month?

Medellín, Colombia

Couples can live there for less than $1,700 per month, enjoying the springlike climate, outdoor recreation and vibrant culture. Colombia provides the amenities and infrastructure of a high-cost-of-living country at a low cost.

Is 50/30/20 outdated?

But amid ongoing inflation, the 50/30/20 method no longer feels feasible for families who say they're struggling to make ends meet. Financial experts agree — and some say it may be time to adjust the percentages accordingly, to 60/30/10.

How much of take home pay for fun?

One way to gauge how much is the right amount to spend on fun is the 50/30/20 rule. According to this method, no more than 50% of your income, after taxes, should go toward needs; 30% of your income can go to things you want, including fun; 20% should go into savings.

What is the 60 40 rule in money?

It says you should aim to keep 60% of your holdings in stocks, and 40% in bonds. Stocks can yield robust returns, but they are volatile. Bonds provide modest but stable income, and they serve as a buffer when stock prices fall. The 60/40 rule is one of the most familiar principles in personal finance.

What is the 25x rule for retirement?

The rule of 25 says you need to save 25 times your annual expenses to retire. To get this number, first multiply your monthly expenses by 12 to figure out your annual expenses. You then multiply that annual expense by 25 to get your FIRE number or the amount you'll need to retire.

What is the 80 120 rule for 401k?

In addition, the 80-120 rule specifies that an organization's participant count must include: actively participating employees, retired, deceased, or separated employees who still have assets in the plan, and. all eligible employees who have either yet to enroll or have elected not to enter the plan.