Free Tool

BudgetPlanner

Map your monthly income and expenses, see exactly where your money goes, and find your savings rate — all in one place. No spreadsheet needed.

Free Forever No Sign-up Saves Locally Savings Rate By Category
Currency

Monthly Income

Enter your total monthly take-home income after taxes.

Monthly Expenses

Needs (Essentials) ₹0
Wants (Lifestyle) ₹0
Savings & Investments ₹0

About This Budget Planner

Most people have a rough idea of what they earn, but almost no one knows exactly where it goes. This budget planner changes that. By categorising your expenses into Needs, Wants, and Savings — the foundation of the 50/30/20 framework — you get an instant picture of your financial health: your savings rate, how your spending compares to proven benchmarks, and where your money leaks. No spreadsheet, no sign-up, and it saves locally so you can revisit it anytime. The single most powerful thing you can do with your finances is to actually look at them.

🏠

Needs (Target: 50%)

Rent or EMI, groceries, utilities, transport, insurance, and medical. Non-negotiable spending that keeps your life running — hard to cut quickly.

Wants (Target: 30%)

Dining out, streaming, shopping, travel, gym, hobbies. Things that make life enjoyable but aren't strictly essential — the most flexible part of your budget.

📈

Savings (Target: 20%)

Emergency fund, SIP investments, stocks, PPF, NPS, or any wealth-building vehicle. Pay yourself first — set this aside before you spend on wants.

📊

Savings Rate

The percentage of income you keep. At 20% you reach financial independence in ~37 years. At 50%, it drops to ~17. Every extra percent has compounding impact.

Savings Rate & Financial Independence Timeline

Savings Rate Years to Financial Independence Monthly Savings (on ₹50,000 income) Status
Less than 10% 40+ years Less than ₹5,000 Critical — prioritise immediately
10–19% 35–40 years ₹5,000–9,500 Below benchmark
20–29% 28–37 years ₹10,000–14,500 On track
30–49% 17–28 years ₹15,000–24,500 Strong
50%+ Under 17 years ₹25,000+ FIRE-track

How to Use This Planner

Start by entering your total monthly take-home income after taxes. Then add your recurring expenses in each category — be honest and specific. The more accurate your inputs, the more useful the output.

  • Needs first: Add your fixed costs — rent, EMI, utilities. These are your baseline and hardest to reduce quickly.
  • Honest on wants: Dining out, subscriptions, and impulse spending are easy to undercount. Refer to your last month's bank statement for accuracy.
  • Savings as a line item: Treat savings like an expense — enter the exact amount you want to invest each month, not what's left over.
  • Check the leftover: Any unallocated income after all three categories should go to savings or investments, not be spent by default.

Why the 50/30/20 Rule Works

Popularised by US Senator Elizabeth Warren in All Your Worth, the 50/30/20 framework works because it's simple enough to actually follow. But it's a starting point, not a law.

  • High cost-of-living cities: Needs may consume 60–65% of income. That's okay — compress Wants, not Savings.
  • Early career: Even 10–15% saved consistently beats starting later with a higher rate. Time in market > savings rate.
  • High earners: As income scales, lifestyle inflation is the enemy. Keep Needs and Wants flat in rupee terms as income grows.
  • Debt-heavy situations: Redirect the Wants budget to high-interest debt first. The math almost always favours clearing expensive debt over investing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my needs exceed 50% of income?
That's common — especially in metro cities where rent alone can be 35–40% of income. The priority order is: protect your savings percentage first, then trim Wants. Don't cut savings to make the 50% needs benchmark — the benchmark is a guide, not a hard rule.
Should I count my EMI as a need or savings?
Home loan EMIs are typically counted as Needs (like rent). For investment-linked EMIs (like a loan taken to invest), they're closer to Savings. The key question is: does this payment reduce a liability or build an asset? The answer determines the category.
How much emergency fund do I need?
3–6 months of essential expenses (your Needs total) kept in a liquid instrument — a high-interest savings account or liquid mutual fund. Build this before aggressively investing. Until you have it, you're one unexpected expense away from debt.
Is a SIP the same as savings in this planner?
Yes — SIPs, PPF contributions, NPS, stock purchases, and any form of wealth-building investment all belong in the Savings & Investments category. The goal is to track what fraction of your income is working for your future rather than being consumed today.
How often should I review my budget?
Monthly is ideal — spending patterns shift, subscriptions creep up, and one-off expenses like travel or repairs distort a single month. Review quarterly for strategic decisions (savings rate, investment allocation), and monthly for staying honest about Wants spending.
What counts as a "want" vs a "need"?
A useful test: would your life become unsafe or significantly disrupted if you cut it for 3 months? If yes, it's probably a need. Gym, streaming, dining out, and most shopping are wants — valuable, but not essential. Internet and a basic phone plan sit in a grey zone that most people reasonably classify as needs today.

Disclaimer: This tool is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All projections and benchmarks are illustrative. Consult a registered financial advisor before making investment decisions, particularly if you have complex financial circumstances such as business income, significant debt, or dependents.