Free 50/30/20 Budget Calculator

Net monthly income

Additional income (optional)

Safety cushion already saved (optional)

Only used to tell you whether you're still building your cushion or can already shift toward investing. Without this, the delay shown stays the same regardless of income: that's expected, it depends on the ratio between drawers, not the amount.

I know the exact amount of my essential expenses this month

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Essential expenses 50% 0 €

Food is part of this drawer, but it isn't calculated automatically here: it varies too much depending on household size and eating habits. This amount also covers rent or mortgage, bills, insurance, and unavoidable subscriptions.

Safety cushion / investing 30% 0 €

This drawer protects first. Once a safety threshold is reached, it can gradually become investing: money that works, even while you sleep.

Enjoyment 20% 0 €

There's no fixed rule for this drawer. Some months it'll be a small everyday pleasure. Other times, it builds up toward something bigger, like a family holiday.

These three numbers are a compass, not a cage. A month where essential expenses sit at 55%, or at the other end 40%, happens in every family, and it's never a problem. What matters is the overall direction, not month-to-month precision. A conscious choice, even one that drifts from the benchmark, is still a good decision.

You now know how much goes into the safety cushion / investing drawer each month. Look at the cumulative effect below first, then discover what it can really grow into.

Discover My Capital →

↓ The cumulative effect is shown further down this page

This is a simulation, not personalised advice. The result depends entirely on the amounts you entered, which this tool neither verifies nor corrects. ElIsma Technologies is not a licensed investment adviser and cannot be held liable for decisions made based on this result. See the full disclaimer (FR).

At this pace, here's where you'd stand

Simple projection: this monthly amount added up month after month, with no interest or returns. To see the effect of an investment that grows, over the timeframe you choose, head to My Capital.

This total is yours. Some people choose to direct everything toward investing from the start, trading off enjoyment for a while, aiming for financial independence sooner. It's a choice, not an obligation, and it's entirely yours to make.

You've just done what few people do: look their money in the eye, without judging themselves.

That's the cumulative effect. Now see what a real return can add to it.

Discover My Capital →

How does the 50/30/20 rule work?

The principle is simple: rather than spending first and seeing what's left, every euro gets a role before it's even spent. Three roles, three drawers, one rule to remember.

50% for essential expenses. Everything that keeps daily life running and can't be avoided: housing, bills, insurance, and food. This last item varies too much depending on household size and eating habits to be estimated automatically here: adjust it to your own reality, keeping in mind it should normally fit within this amount, not come on top of it. An AI assistant can help build meal plans suited to the family and the budget left over, without spending hours on it.

30% for the safety cushion, then investing. This drawer protects against the unexpected first. Once a safety threshold is reached, money that keeps coming in can be directed toward investing rather than sitting idle in an account.

20% for enjoyment. Without guilt, because it's been earned. This drawer has no sub-rule: it's up to you whether it's spent week by week or saved up for something bigger.

This calculator offers a simulation, not personalised advice. The results shown are indicative and don't replace the advice of a professional for a decision suited to your situation.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 50/30/20 budget rule? ▾

It splits your net income into three parts: 50% for essential expenses, 30% for your safety cushion then investing, and 20% for enjoyment.

Does the food budget count as an essential expense? ▾

Yes, food is an essential expense. It isn't calculated separately here because it varies too much depending on household size and eating habits. An AI assistant can help you build meal plans suited to your remaining budget.

How should the 20% enjoyment drawer be split? ▾

There's no fixed rule. Some months it'll be a small everyday pleasure, other times it builds up toward something bigger, like a family holiday.

Is my data saved anywhere? ▾

No. No data entered on this page is sent to a server or kept after you close the page. You can print or save the result as a PDF if you want to keep it.