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Most budget templates try to do too much. Forty categories, formulas, charts — and you give up after two weeks. This template is built on the 50/30/20 rule: three categories, dollar amounts pre-calculated for your income. Use the calculator to get your numbers, then fill in the specifics.
Get your personalized budget numbers in seconds.
Open Budget CalculatorFind your take-home pay and use these numbers as your starting template:
| Category | Budget | Subcategory Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| NEEDS | $1,500 | |
| Rent/mortgage | $900 | 30% of income max |
| Groceries | $250 | $60/week |
| Utilities | $120 | Electric, water, gas |
| Transportation | $130 | Gas, transit, insurance |
| Phone | $50 | Basic plan |
| Insurance | $50 | Renters, health copay |
| WANTS | $900 | |
| Dining out | $200 | ~5 meals out |
| Entertainment | $100 | Streaming, movies, games |
| Shopping | $200 | Clothes, household items |
| Subscriptions | $40 | Spotify, Netflix, etc |
| Misc/fun | $360 | Buffer for wants |
| SAVINGS | $600 | |
| Emergency fund | $300 | Until 3-6 months saved |
| Retirement (401k/IRA) | $200 | At least get employer match |
| Debt payoff | $100 | Extra above minimums |
| Category | Budget | Subcategory Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| NEEDS | $2,500 | |
| Rent/mortgage | $1,400 | |
| Groceries | $400 | $100/week |
| Utilities | $150 | |
| Car payment + gas | $300 | |
| Insurance | $150 | Health + auto |
| Phone | $50 | |
| Minimum debt payments | $50 | |
| WANTS | $1,500 | |
| Dining out | $350 | |
| Entertainment | $150 | |
| Shopping | $300 | |
| Travel fund | $300 | |
| Gym + wellness | $100 | |
| Subscriptions | $50 | |
| Misc | $250 | |
| SAVINGS | $1,000 | |
| 401(k) | $500 | Max out employer match |
| Roth IRA | $250 | |
| Emergency fund | $150 | |
| Extra debt payoff | $100 |
| Category | Budget | Subcategory Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| NEEDS | $4,000 | |
| Rent/mortgage | $2,200 | |
| Groceries | $500 | |
| Utilities | $200 | |
| Car + transport | $400 | |
| Insurance | $300 | |
| Phone + internet | $100 | |
| Minimum debt payments | $200 | |
| Childcare | $100 | If applicable |
| WANTS | $2,400 | |
| Dining out | $500 | |
| Entertainment | $200 | |
| Shopping | $400 | |
| Travel | $500 | |
| Fitness | $150 | |
| Subscriptions | $80 | |
| Hobbies | $200 | |
| Misc | $370 | |
| SAVINGS | $1,600 | |
| 401(k) max | $700 | |
| Roth IRA | $300 | |
| Brokerage | $300 | |
| Emergency/goals | $200 | |
| Extra debt payoff | $100 |
Get your budget numbers first — then fill in the template.
Open Budget Calculator