Budget Planner
Add up your income and spending to see where your money goes and what you could save each month.
Spending
Needs, wants and savings
Biggest costs
Printed from ClearCalc (clearcalc.com.au/budget-planner/). Estimates only, not financial advice.
How to use this budget planner
Enter your take-home pay, then what you spend in each category. Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly to match how you're paid, and the planner converts everything to monthly amounts. Your numbers are saved on this device, so you can come back and update them.
A bank statement from the last two or three months is the quickest way to find your real spending. Most people underestimate eating out, subscriptions and small purchases.
The 50/30/20 rule
A simple starting point is to spend about 50% of take-home pay on needs (housing, bills, groceries, transport), 30% on wants and put 20% towards savings or paying off debt. In Australian cities, housing alone often takes more than 30% of income, so many households adjust it to something like 60/20/20.
Quick wins
- Compare energy plans on the government's Energy Made Easy site.
- Review subscriptions and insurance once a year.
- Automate savings on payday, so the money moves before you can spend it.
- Check your home loan rate. Our refinance calculator shows what switching could save.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I save each month?
Aim for at least 10% to 20% of your take-home pay, starting with an emergency fund of three to six months of essential expenses.
What counts as a need or a want?
Needs are costs you'd struggle to cut: housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, transport to work and minimum debt repayments. Wants include eating out, entertainment, subscriptions and most shopping.
Is my data private?
Yes. Your numbers stay in your browser on this device. Nothing is sent to us.
Last reviewed October 2026. This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. Check important figures with the relevant government agency or a licensed professional.