Now that you know how a 50/30/20 budget (or spending plan) works, the next step is to personalize the budget template.

Spending plans tend to be more realistic for most of us. This can be a helpful perspective if you’ve ever found budgeting to be too restrictive. By breaking your total income down into categories, you’re telling yourself how much you can spend in each category - not focusing on what you shouldn’t spend. You can think of your budget as a spending plan. This includes putting money into your emergency fund, investing in retirement accounts, and saving for big financial goals - like the down payment on a car or house. This includes the things you do for fun, such as going to concerts or dining out, and other things that are important to you, like updating your seasonal wardrobe or donating to charity. This includes household expenses that may fluctuate (think: groceries and utilities) as well as fixed costs, like insurance premiums or car payments, and other non-negotiables. Then, it gives a different percentage of your income to each of these expense categories. This is a widely used strategy that’s easy to apply and remember.īasically, it helps you set priorities in your budget and categorize expenses by breaking your spending into three types: needs, wants, and savings. This spreadsheet follows the 50/30/20 budgeting method. Loan Payoff Calculator: How Quickly Can You Repay Your Loan?.Auto Loan Interest Calculator: Monthly Payment & Total Cost.How To Pay Medical Bills You Can’t Afford.

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Monthly income and expense sheet