Monthly budget calculator
Put your monthly income against everything that goes out. See what is left, what you save, and which lines take the biggest share.
How this is calculated
Everything going out, including what you save, is taken from your monthly income. What is left is unallocated money you could save or spend.
Each line is also shown as a share of income, so you can see where most of the money goes.
Use monthly figures. For yearly bills, divide by twelve.
Rates used · 2026/27
| Needs | housing, bills, food, transport, debt |
| Wants | eating out, subscriptions, hobbies |
| Savings | a common target is 20% of income |
| Yearly bills | divide by 12 |
Last checked July 2026. Source: HMRC and gov.uk.
Worked example
On £2,600 a month, £950 of rent, £320 of bills, £350 of food, £180 of transport and £385 of insurance, subscriptions and everything else come to £2,185. Saving £250 leaves £165 unallocated, and housing takes 36.5% of income.
Common questions
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
A rough guide that puts about half of take-home pay on needs, up to 30% on wants and at least 20% on savings and extra debt payments. Housing costs often make it hard to hit in practice.
How much should I save each month?
As much as you can sustain. Building an emergency fund first, then saving towards goals, is a common order.
What if I am short every month?
Start with the largest lines. Switching energy or broadband, cancelling unused subscriptions and checking benefit entitlement can all help, and free debt advice is available if repayments are the problem.
Should I include irregular costs?
Yes. Car repairs, birthdays and yearly renewals catch people out. Divide the yearly total by twelve and include it.