It’s no secret that managing money can be difficult. With so many financial obligations and unknowns, it can be hard to keep a budget that meets all of your needs. The good news is that there is an easy way to manage your finances without feeling overwhelmed: the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. Let’s take a look at what this rule is and how it works.
What Is The 50/30/20 Budget Rule?
The 50/30/20 budget rule was created by Senator Elizabeth Warren in her book “All Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan.” In its simplest terms, this rule states that you should divide your after-tax income into three categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings or debt repayment. By following this rule, you should be able to maintain a healthy balance between spending and saving while still meeting all of your financial obligations.
How Does It Work?
The first step is to calculate your after-tax income — that is, the amount of money you have left over after taxes are taken out of each paycheck. Then, divide that number by three using the percentages outlined in the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. This will give you an idea of how much money you can allocate towards each category (needs, wants, savings) per month or pay period.
For example, if your after-tax income is $3,600 per month then you would have $1,800 for needs (50%), $1,080 for wants (30%), and $720 for savings or debt repayment (20%). You can use this same calculation for every paycheck to make sure you are staying on track with your goals.
The 50/30/20 budgeting rule can help simplify your finances by providing an easy-to-follow framework for managing your money each month. By breaking down your expenses into different categories and allocating accordingly, you will be able to better prioritize your spending and save more money in the long run. So if you’re looking for an easy way to get a handle on your finances without feeling overwhelmed – give the 50/30/20 budgeting rule a try!
