What does the 30-30-30-10 budget look like?

Last update: 04/10/2024

budget 30-30-30-10

Most financial experts agree that you should have a budget, but when you're just starting out, it seems easier said than done. It's possible to sit down and create your first budget, only to find out that you don't know how much money you need. This is where the 30-30-30-10 budget comes in.

A percentage budget, the 30-30-30-10, tells you how to spend certain amounts in certain categories. Because it sets guidelines to guide your spending decisions, percentage budgeting has become a very popular budgeting method.

And when you're just starting out with budgeting, this method can give you the structure and guidance you need.

How does a 30-30-30-10 budget work?

This percentage-based budget allows you to divide your expenses into these categories:

  • Housing represents the first 30% of your budget. It can be rent or a mortgage.
  • Your budget should include 30% for utilities, food, gas, internet and other essential expenses.
  • Dedicate 30% to financial goals such as saving and paying off debt.
  • 10% is reserved for your wishes. This includes entertainment and travel.

Who should have the budget for 30-30-30-10?

One of the many options is the 30-30-30-10 budget. So how do you decide if this method is right for you or if you're better off finding another solution? The 30-30-30-10 budget is a great option for anyone who wants to keep their spending under control.

This budgeting technique could provide you with the structure you need to reduce your expenses if your budget is bloated by unnecessary purchases.

A 30-30-30-10 budget is a good option for anyone who wants to prioritize their financial goals. Other budgeting systems allocate less money to savings. This budget is ideal if you have financial goals.

It's not for everyone.

While the 30-30-30-10 budget may be great for some, let's not forget those who don't find it helpful. First, this budgeting method is unlikely to work for you. High cost of living areasRents tend to be high in high-cost areas.

In these places, people often struggle to keep housing costs below 30% of their annual income. It may not be possible to live in New York, Los Angeles, or other metropolitan areas where the cost of housing is higher than your income. This is fine as long as you are comfortable with your expenses.

The budget system is more restrictive than others in terms of spending on necessities. A more financially stable person may think that 10% of spending on necessities is too much.

How to create a 30-30-30-10 budget

It's time to start creating your 30-30-30-10 budget. Here's how to get started:

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Step 1: Add your income.

Your income should be allocated to specific purposes according to the 30-30-30-10 budget. That's why it's important to start by adding up your monthly income.

Some people will find it easy to add up income. If you are an employee, it will probably be the same each month. But if you are an hourly employee, a tipped employeeCalculating your monthly income if you are self-employed can be more difficult.

Your income can fluctuate from month to month throughout the year. You have two options: use your least typical income, or simply an average of all your months. Remember that if you use your average income, in the months when your income is higher than average, you will need to set aside money to use in the months when your income is lower than average.

Step 2: Add up all your expenses

The next step is to add up all of your expenses. This is easily done by looking at all of your bank and credit card statements from the past 3-6 months. This will allow you to document each purchase. Once you've calculated your total expenses in each budget category, you can do the math to find the average for each month.

Step 3: Divide your expenses into the appropriate categories

Break down your expenses by budget category once you’ve identified your monthly expenses. Some of these categories are pretty straightforward. For example, your monthly rent and mortgage payments clearly fall into the “housing” category. Likewise, monthly utility and insurance payments fall into the “needs” category.

Other costs, however, may not seem so straightforward. What about food costs? Yes, food is essential. But not all food spending is necessary. You'll have to decide for yourself which food expenses are necessary and which count as a want.

You may find yourself asking the same question regarding clothing, especially if you have to wear certain clothes to work. If you buy clothes to wear to work, does that count as a need or a want? Only you know the truth.

Step 4: Set financial goals

Spending money on financial goals is a big part of your 30-30-30-10 budget. This budgeting approach means that about three-quarters of your budget goes toward financial goals like paying off debt or saving for the future.

But to make room for this money in your budget, it's important to set specific goals. Not only will setting goals ensure that you're using your money on things that really matter to you and get you closer to the life you dream of, but having specific goals will motivate you to save.

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Here are some possible financial goals you can include in your budget.

  • Pay off debts
  • Retirement Planning
  • Saving for a down payment on a house
  • Take the vacation of your dreams
  • Paying for your child's higher education
  • It is possible to start a business

Step 5: Reduce or increase your expenses to reach the desired percentages

After you've made your budget, you may realize that some of your expenses don't match up with the category percentages. This is where you may need to make adjustments. You may find that your wants account for 10% or more of your budget after you've set it.

Review your spending to see if there is anything you can cut back on. On the other hand, you may find that you have been so restrictive in your spending that you don't even spend 10% of your budget on your wants. You may need more time for yourself.

Similarly, you may make a budget and realize that you are 30% short of your financial goals. If you are 30% short, you may not be able to change it overnight. Now that you are clear about your savings goal, you can gradually adjust your spending to meet it.

Comparison of the budget for 30-30-30-10 and other percentages

The 30-30-30-10 budget is just one percentage budgeting option, but it is not the only one.

You can also use other percentage budgets to guide your spending. Below we will look at two more so you can decide which one is best for you.

presupuesto 30-30-30-10 vs. 50-30-20

One of the most well-known budgets is the 50-30-20. It was actually created by US Senator Elizabeth WarrenYou should spend 50% on your needs and 30% on your wants. Savings is 20%. Here's how it breaks down:

  • The 50% subsidy covers rent, mortgage payments, insurance, loan repayments and utilities.
  • The 30% subsidy covers any extra expenses in your budget. This includes eating out and traveling, as well as new clothes.
  • You can save 20% on anything that will help you grow your wealth. It can be money you set aside to build an emergency fund. It can also be used to save for goals. You can save money by putting money into investment accounts.

In the sense that they both create a structure and help you decide how much money to allocate to each category, the 50-30-20 budget works the same as the 30-30-30-10 budget. You can also see that there are differences.

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First of all, the 50-30-20 budget allows you to spend more on optional expenses. Therefore, it may be better if you don't want to feel limited by your budget.

However, the 30-30-30-10-10 budget allows you to put more money toward your financial goals. If you can retire early or have big financial goals, such as buying your dream home or paying off a lot of debt, this budget may be more suitable.

30-30-30-10 vs. 80-20 budget

Another way to divide your expenses into categories is the 80-20 budgeting method. However, this budgeting method is the easiest to use since it only has two spending categories.

Budgeting with the 80-20 method is a good option Based on the Pareto principle, which states that only 20% of your efforts are responsible for 80% of your success,.This is what the budget looks like:

  • Spend 80% on your needs and desires
  • Save 20% of your monthly budget and spend it on your financial goals.

You can see that the 80-20 budget allocates the same amount of budget as the 50-30-20 to savings and financial goals.

It's important to note that instead of putting your needs and wants into different categories, put all your expenses into one category. This explains most budgets.

The 80-20 budget may be for you if you want a general guideline to help you plan your budget, but you don't want to feel limited between your needs and wants and prefer to pool all of your expenses.

Try the 30-30-30-10 budget!

You may feel overwhelmed by the number of options when you start budgeting. Percentage-based budgets, such as the 30-30-30-10 budget, can help you manage your spending.

As with all budgeting methods, it's more important to get started than to finish. The 30-30-30-10 percentages can serve as a guide, but your actual figures will vary depending on your financial goals and spending.

You can also check out the 70-20-10, 60-20-20 and 60-30-10 quotes!

With our budgeting guide you can create the perfect budget for you Free budgeting course Clever Girl Finance is also a great resource YouTubePlease see the following Instagram To learn the most effective budgeting tips that will help you save more, click here

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