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Household Budget Planner

Plan your monthly household budget and see exactly where every rupee goes.

50-30-20 RuleVisual BreakdownSurplus Tracker

📋 Monthly Budget

The 50-30-20 Budget Rule for India

The 50-30-20 rule is a simple framework popularised by Senator Elizabeth Warren. It divides after-tax income into three buckets: 50% for needs (rent, groceries, utilities, EMIs, insurance), 30% for wants (dining, entertainment, travel, shopping), and 20% for savings and investments (emergency fund, SIP, PPF, FD).

In Indian metro cities where rent alone can consume 30–40% of income, the 50-30-20 rule often needs adjusting to 60-20-20 or even 65-15-20 for people starting their careers. The key is that savings should never drop below 10–15% of income, regardless of lifestyle adjustments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What expenses count as "needs" vs "wants"?
Needs are expenses you cannot avoid: rent, groceries, utility bills, EMIs, health insurance, children's school fees, basic clothing, and transportation to work. Wants are optional: OTT subscriptions, dining out, gym membership, travel, and lifestyle shopping. The distinction matters because cutting wants is easier than cutting needs.
How much should I save as an Indian salaried employee?
Financial planners recommend saving at least 20% of gross income (not take-home) for long-term goals. This includes EPF contributions (which are mandatory). On top of EPF, targeting 10–15% of take-home for voluntary savings (SIP, PPF, FD) is a solid starting point for most salaried Indians.
My expenses exceed my income — what should I do?
First, categorise all expenses into needs and wants. Cut all non-essential wants immediately. Then look at needs — can rent be reduced (move to a smaller place or find a flatmate)? Can grocery bills be reduced? If income genuinely can't cover basic needs, look at income augmentation: upskilling, a side income, or a higher-paying job.