50/30/20 budget calculator

The 50/30/20 rule is a simple way to plan your month. Half goes to essentials, 30% to things you enjoy and 20% to savings.

Enter your take-home pay and we show how much goes to each part. If your situation is different, for example high rent, adjust the percentages.

How it's calculated

Needs = income × 50%.
Wants = income × 30%.
Savings = income × 20%. The three percentages have to add up to 100%.

An example

On HK$15,000 a month: HK$7,500 for needs, HK$4,500 for wants and HK$3,000 for savings.

Over a year, that 20% adds up to HK$36,000 saved.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as a need and what as a want?

Needs are bills you must pay: housing, basic groceries, utilities, transport, health and minimum debt payments. Wants are things you could cut if you had to.

What if my needs are more than 50%?

That is common, especially with high rent. Try 60/20/20 or 70/20/10 and avoid cutting savings to zero.

Do debt payments count as savings?

Minimum payments go under needs. Anything extra you pay to clear a debt sooner counts as savings, because it improves your net worth just like saving.