Savings Calculators
Budget Calculator
Split take-home pay across needs, wants and savings, and see whether your current spending fits the plan.
Monthly surplus
$750.00
- Savings rate
- 17.9%
- Needs share of income
- 63.1%
- Suggested monthly saving
- $840.00
- Housing
- Essentials
- Debt
- Lifestyle
- Surplus
How this calculator works
Surplus = take-home pay − housing − essentials − lifestyle − debt repayments
- 50/30/20
- a guide of 50% needs, 30% wants and 20% savings
Example calculation
Illustrative example — not advice
Worked example — the budget calculator as it loads, using the default figures below.
- 01Enter monthly take-home pay: $4,200.
- 02Enter housing: $1,400.
- 03Enter other essentials: $900.
- 04Enter lifestyle and discretionary: $800.
- 05Enter debt repayments: $350.
- 06Read the monthly surplus from the results panel: $750.00.
Monthly surplus: $750.00. Savings rate: 17.9%. Needs share of income: 63.1%. Suggested monthly saving: $840.00.
These figures come straight from the calculator above running on the values listed, so you can retype them and confirm every number yourself. Change any input and the results update immediately. Illustrative only — not a quote, offer or recommendation.
Important considerations
- Annual costs such as insurance and holidays need a monthly allowance.
- A surplus only counts once it leaves the current account.
Related calculators
- Savings Rate CalculatorYour true savings rate and what it buys.
- Emergency Fund CalculatorEmergency fund target and time to build it.
- Debt Payoff CalculatorPayoff date and interest saved from paying extra.
- Savings Goal CalculatorMonthly saving needed to hit a target.
- Certificate of Deposit CalculatorMaturity value of a fixed-term deposit.
- Money Market CalculatorHigh-yield savings balance over time.
Terms used here
Frequently asked questions
Is 50/30/20 realistic?
It is a benchmark, not a rule. High housing costs make it hard, in which case the wants share has to give first.
Disclaimer
Legamoney calculators are educational tools. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and do not constitute financial, tax or legal advice.
Last reviewed 2026-08-01