Home / Budget percentages / 70/20/10
70/20/10 budget calculator
All everyday spending — needs and wants together — fits in 70%. 20% is saved and 10% goes to debt or giving.
| Bucket | Share | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Living costs | 70% | $2,800 | $33,600 |
| Giving or extra debt | 10% | $400 | $4,800 |
| Savings | 20% | $800 | $9,600 |
Want to plug in your real bills? Open the full budget calculator — it remembers your numbers.
How the 70/20/10 rule works
A common variant: 70% for all monthly spending, 20% saving, 10% for debt payoff or giving.
Good fit: Households where housing and bills already eat most of the pay.
Questions people ask
What is the 70/20/10 budget rule?
All everyday spending — needs and wants together — fits in 70%. 20% is saved and 10% goes to debt or giving. A common variant: 70% for all monthly spending, 20% saving, 10% for debt payoff or giving.
How much is 70/20/10 on $4,000 a month?
Living costs: $2,800, Giving or extra debt: $400, Savings: $800.
Who is the 70/20/10 rule for?
Households where housing and bills already eat most of the pay.
70/20/10 or 50/30/20?
70/20/10 gives more room to essential costs than 50/30/20. If your needs fit in 50% of take-home pay, 50/30/20 leaves more for wants; if they don't, 70/20/10 is the more honest plan.