Zero-based budgeting: With this method, you must allocate all of your monthly income to expenses, savings contributions, and debt payments. Reverse budgeting: This flips typical budgeting on its head - instead of setting up categories to track your spending, you create aggressive savings goals and contribute to them each month. Put each expense into a labeled envelope when you receive a paycheck, place the amount in cash into each envelope. Add up all fixed and variable expenses, then subtract this number from your income. The Envelope System: This is a simple yet effective technique. Some of the common budgeting techniques include: There are many budgeting methods you can use to keep your finances on track - it’s all about figuring out which is right for you. Have more questions about budgeting? Check out our answers to the most frequently asked budget questions below: 1. Go to Mint coach Budgeting Calculator: Frequently Asked QuestionsĪ detailed budget can help you make the most of your income and set you up for success in the future. Visualize your finances with this detailed monthly budget and make the most of your money using our free budget calculator and planner. Other: Include any other types of savings contributions you make on a monthly basis.Īs you enter your information, our budget calculator will automatically update your total monthly income, total monthly expenses, and total monthly savings contributions, then show you how much you’re overspending (or how much wiggle room you may have in your budget!). Retirement: If you contribute to a retirement account outside of a workplace 401(k), list those as well. Investments: If you contribute to any investment accounts, include contributions here. Enter your monthly contributions to your emergency savings fund here. Finance experts recommend saving at least 3 months of living expenses. Emergency Fund: An emergency savings account is a stash of money set aside to cover any financial surprises life may throw your way. This section is all about planning for your financial future, from emergency savings to retirement contributions. Examples might include travel costs for an upcoming trip, clothing purchases, or other “non-essentials.” Other: Note any recurring expenses that don’t fall under the above categories in this space. Child Care: Enter any expenses spent on child care, including daycare costs, school fees, and babysitting costs. Personal Care: This may include items such as shampoo, toothpaste, cosmetics, and other personal care essentials. Entertainment: Under this category, include the amount you regularly spend on entertainment activities per month, both at-home, such as television and internet subscriptions, and away from home, such as concert tickets, movie passes, or social events. Pets: If you have a furry friend, fill in this field with monthly expenses for food, medicine, grooming, or veterinary bills. Health Insurance: Enter costs for health insurance if you don’t receive your coverage through your employer, including medical, dental, and vision plans. If you regularly contribute more than the minimum payment, be sure to include the total estimated amount. Credit Cards & Loans: Make sure all minimum credit card and loan payments are accounted for. If you commute by public transportation, include ticket pricing or pass subscriptions. If you drive a car, include auto payments, insurance costs, and gas expenses. Transportation: Enter your total monthly costs for day-to-day transportation. If you regularly eat out at restaurants, estimate and include those expenses. Food: Consider grocery bills or food subscriptions. If you pay renter’s insurance, include those costs here, as well.
Housing: Enter your total monthly rent or mortgage payments, including utility bills such as gas, electric, trash, and water. Now let’s take a look at your average monthly expenditures, including both fixed and variable costs. Other: Be sure to consider supplementary sources of income as well, such as freelance payments, alimony checks, investment payouts, or child support, and enter in the cell to the right. Salary & Wages (After Taxes): Your net monthly income is the money you bring home after This is the amount on your paychecks - your wages minus federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, insurance costs, retirement contributions and any other benefits. This section of the budgeting calculator covers any money you’re bringing in, including your main source of income and any supplementary sources of cash flow. Note: If you’re entering variable costs that change month to month, enter your best estimate. Our free budget calculator is divided into three main areas: monthly income, monthly expenses, and monthly savings. Fill in the required information in each field and we’ll do the math for you. Our budgeting calculator is simple to use.