50/30/20 Rule
The 50/30/20 rule helps you determine how much of your budget should go toward needs, wants and savings. Using this personal finance rule of thumb can help you reach your savings goals while still allowing you to spend money on things you enjoy.
- Written By Jennifer Schell
Jennifer Schell
Financial Writer
Jennifer Schell is a professional writer focused on demystifying annuities and other financial topics including banking, financial advising and insurance. She is proud to be a member of the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) as well as the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
Read More- Edited By
Savannah HansonSavannah Hanson
Senior Financial Editor
Savannah Hanson is an accomplished writer, editor and content marketer. She joined Annuity.org as a financial editor in 2021 and uses her passion for educating readers on complex topics to guide visitors toward the path of financial literacy.
Read More- Financially Reviewed By
Timothy Li, MBATimothy Li, MBA
Business Finance Manager
Timothy Li, MBA, has dedicated his career to increasing profitability for his clients, including Fortune 500 companies. Timothy currently serves as a business finance manager where he researches ways to increase profitability within the supply chain, logistics and sales departments.
Read More- Updated: September 20, 2022
- 5 min read time
- This page features 6 Cited Research Articles
- Edited By
What Is the 50/30/20 Budgeting Rule?
The 50/30/20 rule is a popular budgeting strategy. The numbers refer to the percentages of your monthly income that should go to fixed expenses, variable expenses, and savings and/or debt repayment.
Many personal finance professionals recommend this method for its simplicity and flexibility. The 50/30/20 rule allows you to set aside a portion of your income for flexible spending while still meeting your financial goals. Because this budgeting method leaves room for spending money on things you want even if you may not need them, it can be easier to stick to than a more strict personal finance strategy.
Saving vs. Spending
Saving money for short- and long-term goals is an important component of financial wellness. Whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying off debt or making a big purchase, such as a house, you probably have a savings goal you are trying to meet.
The 50/30/20 rule can help you meet your savings goals for the future without sacrificing the fun things you like to buy in the present. This budgeting method is all about striking a balance between saving and spending.
Financial experts recommend setting a goal of saving 20% of your income each month. Your monthly savings can be put toward one single savings goal, such as an emergency fund, or split among multiple savings goals, like a retirement account and saving for a house down payment.
If you can’t afford to save 20% of your income each month, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to save at all. You should set a goal that makes the most sense for you. If that means putting away $100 per month, saving something is still better than saving nothing.

How to Budget Using the 50/30/20 Rule
The first step to any budgeting strategy is determining your net monthly income, which is what you have left after taxes and deductions.
Once you have your monthly income, the next step is to divide the amount into three portions. You can do this by multiplying your after-tax monthly income by 0.5, 0.3 and 0.2 to get each percentage. You should write down the monetary amount that makes up each percentage — 50%, 30% and 20% — so you know exactly how much you have in each category.
50% for Needs
Half of your after-tax monthly income should be put toward fixed expenses. These are the bare necessities, the things you have to pay for that cost roughly the same amount each month.
- Rent or mortgage payment
- Car payment or public transportation
- Utilities (power, water, gas, internet)
- Phone bill
- Groceries
- Insurance
If your fixed expenses total more than 50% of your income, there are a few things you can do. You might try to find ways to save money at the grocery store, reduce your energy or water usage, or downsize to a more affordable living arrangement.
30% for Wants
Using the 50/30/20 rule, you can allocate 30% of your monthly budget toward “wants,” or flexible spending. These are things that you can technically live without but that are still a priority for you.
- Dining out
- Clothes shopping
- Vacations
- Entertainment
- Hobbies
- Gym membership
If you find that you’re spending more than 30% of your income each month on these flexible expenses, it may be time to evaluate your priorities. How many of these expenditures are important to you, and which ones could you cut back on to increase your savings?
20% for Savings
The last category is savings and debt repayment, which should make up at least 20% of your monthly budget. This last 20% should go toward helping you meet financial goals, whether it’s saving for retirement or paying off debt.
- Emergency fund
- Retirement account
- Saving to buy a house
- Paying off student loans
You should aim for 20% of your income to go toward savings goals, but you should contribute more if you are able. If you don’t spend all of the 30% of your income set aside for discretionary spending, you can move that leftover cash into your savings accounts to get you closer to reaching your goals.
You may want to alter this approach if you’re trying to pay off high-interest debts like credit card debt. High-interest debts should be paid off as soon as possible, so you might benefit from devoting a larger portion of your budget toward that.
Why Should You Use the 50/30/20 Rule?
Personal finance experts recommend following the 50/30/20 rule for a few reasons. As previously mentioned, this budgeting strategy is flexible, allowing you to spend money on things you want while also saving toward your goals.
By working to keep your essential expenses within 50% of your budget, you’re also safeguarding yourself against financial hardships. Even if your current household income drops by half, such as if one member of the home is out of work, you’ll still be able to keep a roof over your head and weather the setback.
Like all budgets, the 50/30/20 rule helps you manage your money and pay attention to where it’s going. It can give you a better idea of whether you can afford to move to a larger house or purchase that new designer bag.
The important thing about keeping a budget, even if you don’t stick to the 50/30/20 rule exactly, is that you have money rules to keep you moving in the right direction. If you’re having trouble applying the 50/30/20 rule to your personal finances but still want to use a budget, this worksheet from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau can help you get started.
Connect With a Financial Advisor Instantly
Our free tool can help you find an advisor who serves your needs. Get matched with a financial advisor who fits your unique criteria. Once you’ve been matched, consult for free with no obligation.
6 Cited Research Articles
Annuity.org writers adhere to strict sourcing guidelines and use only credible sources of information, including authoritative financial publications, academic organizations, peer-reviewed journals, highly regarded nonprofit organizations, government reports, court records and interviews with qualified experts. You can read more about our commitment to accuracy, fairness and transparency in our editorial guidelines.
- Bungalow. (2022, February 1). Understanding the 50/20/30 budget rule. Retrieved from https://bungalow.com/articles/understanding-the-50-20-30-budget-rule
- McLaughlin, K. (2022, January 19). The 50/30/20 rule of thumb can be a simple way to manage your budget, but it’s not for everyone. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/50-30-20-rule
- Snider, S. (2020, November 19). How Much You Should Save by Month and by Age. Retrieved from https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/how-much-should-i-save
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). My spending rule to live by. Retrieved from https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/201603_cfpb_rules-to-live-by_my-spending-rule-to-live-by.pdf
- Fabijanic, J., & Johnson, C. (n.d.). Budgets for Beginners: 50/30/20 Budget Rule. Retrieved from https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/adulting/blog/budgets-for-beginners-50-30-20-budget-rule
- Weston, L. (n.d.). 50-30-20 budget. Retrieved from https://cents-ability.org/portfolio/50-30-20-rule/
Your web browser is no longer supported by Microsoft. Update your browser for more security, speed and compatibility.
If you are interested in learning more about buying or selling annuities, call us at 866-528-4784