Which is better, 50/30/20 or 70/20/10?

Asked by: Joyce Murphy  |  Last update: December 27, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (34 votes)

It can work well if your essential expenses are within 50% of your income and you want a balanced approach to spending and saving. 70/20/10 Rule: May be better if you aim to save more aggressively or have higher essential expenses that exceed 50% of your income.

What is better than the 50/30/20 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. Experts warn that putting just 10% of your income into savings may not be enough.

Is the 70/20/10 rule good?

The 70/20/10 rule is a guideline that balances spending, saving, and debt repayment. It's a simple method to get started managing money but should be adjusted to fit your needs. One of the limitations of the 70/20/10 rule is that it doesn't separate essential and nonessential expenses.

What are three disadvantages of using the 50/30/20 budget?

Cons
  • It's not realistic for most budgeters.
  • It doesn't prioritize saving over wants.
  • It doesn't help you pay off debt faster.

Is the 50/30/20 rule still valid?

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.

Budget Money Rules: 70/20/10 vs 50/30/20 - Which is BEST?

41 related questions found

Is 50/30/20 or 70/20/10 better?

70/20/10 Rule: May be better if you aim to save more aggressively or have higher essential expenses that exceed 50% of your income. It offers flexibility in spending but requires discipline to ensure discretionary spending doesn't outweigh necessary expenses.

What is the best savings strategy?

One rule of thumb is to save 10% to 15% of your paycheck each pay period. Another savings strategy is the “50/20/30” Rule: set aside 50% of your paycheck for your needs, 20% for your savings & debt, and 30% for your wants.

What are the three 3 common budgeting mistakes to avoid?

5 Budgeting mistakes to avoid
  • Not having a budget at all. One common budgeting mistake is not having a budget at all. ...
  • Not knowing your spending patterns. ...
  • Not having an emergency fund. ...
  • Not differentiating between wants and needs. ...
  • Not leaving any wiggle room. ...
  • In summary.

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.

What is the best budgeting rule?

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

What is the primary benefit of using the 70/20/10 rule?

One of the primary benefits of the 70-20-10 learning model is its ability to enhance employee engagement and retention. When employees are given opportunities to learn through real-world experiences, they feel more connected to their work.

What is the 80 20 budget?

YOUR BUDGET

The 80/20 budget is a simpler version of it. Using the 80/20 budgeting method, 80% of your income goes toward monthly expenses and spending, while the other 20% goes toward savings and investments.

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.

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.

Which rule is best for saving money?

50-30-20 budget rule explained

According to this rule, you must categorise your after-tax income into three broad categories: 50% for your needs, 30% for your wants and 20% for your savings. This way, you set aside a fixed amount from your income for each of the categories.

How much money should you have left 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.

What is the largest source of income for a retiree?

For many, Social Security will be a vital—and significant—source of retirement income. Unlike most sources of retirement income, Social Security benefits are adjusted periodically for inflation. Perhaps the biggest decision you'll make about Social Security is when to apply for your benefits.

What age is too late to save for retirement?

If you're in your 40s or older and haven't saved much (or anything) yet, you may face a challenge in building the retirement fund you need. The shorter your time frame, the less room you have for error. But don't panic--it's never too late to start saving.

What is the 4 rule for retirement savings?

It's relatively simple: You add up all of your investments, and withdraw 4% of that total during your first year of retirement. In subsequent years, you adjust the dollar amount you withdraw to account for inflation.

What are the 3 P's of budgeting?

The three P's of budgeting are Paycheck, Prioritize, and Plan. Evaluate your paycheck and other income, including bonuses, alimony, child support, tax refunds, or rebates. Prioritize spending by considering your needs, wants, and why. Plan to get the most value for every dollar earned and spent by keeping a budget.

What should not be listed in your budget?

Essentially, any income that isn't permanent should not be included in your main budget. I know for a lot of us it is instinctual to see money and say “Oh look! I have more money to spend!” But I encourage you to take a step back and only plan for what income that comes in regularly.

What are the 4 simple rules for budgeting?

4 simple steps to creating a budget
  • Calculate your earnings.
  • Pay your bills on time and track your expenses.
  • Set financial goals.
  • Review your progress.

What does Dave Ramsey recommend for savings?

Financial guru Dave Ramsey recommends starting by saving $1,000 in an emergency fund ($500 if you make less than $20K a year) that you won't touch for any reason other than an actual emergency. That way, when your car or home needs an unexpected repair or you face an unexpected medical bill, you're prepared for it.

Where is the safest place to put your retirement money?

Treasuries are safe investments because they are backed by the “full faith and credit” of the US federal government. The US government has never defaulted on a debt obligation. One special category of treasury securities is Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). TIPS interest rates are indexed to inflation.

What are the 3 A's of successful saving?

Remember the 3 A's for retirement saving: amount, account, and asset mix.