Use this calculator. Track this in Stroberi.
This page is optimized for the money decision you are making now. For the fully interactive calculator experience, open Stroberi’s tools workspace — then install the app to keep budgets, spending, and recurring transactions updated privately on your phone.
How this budget calculator works
Type in your monthly take-home income, then break out your spending by category. The planner instantly flags each ratio against proven benchmarks: the 28% housing rule, the 50/30/20 split of needs, wants, and savings, and a target savings rate of at least 20%. Each result comes with a plain-language verdict so you know whether a number is a problem or a win.
The 50/30/20 rule, in plain English
Half of your income should cover needs (rent, groceries, transport, insurance, debt). Thirty percent can go toward wants — dining out, subscriptions, entertainment. The remaining twenty percent funds savings and investments. Popularized by Senator Elizabeth Warren, it’s the simplest rule that actually holds up across income levels.
What good numbers look like
Housing under 28% of gross income is the standard lender guideline and a strong signal that you’re not house-poor. Savings rates above 20% put you on track for financial independence in 25–30 years. Needs creeping above 60% is a warning that you may be locked into fixed costs that crowd out flexibility.
Why privacy matters for a budget tool
Most budget apps upload your categorized spending to a server, correlate it with bank data, and sell the aggregate. This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored, nothing is sent. If you want ongoing tracking with the same privacy guarantee, Stroberi keeps everything on your phone — no accounts, no sync.