Monthly Budget Planner
A monthly budget shows how your paycheck stretches from one payday to the next. Build one online in minutes by dragging dollar bills into categories.
Steps to a monthly budget
- Add your income after tax.
- Cover essentials first: rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, transportation.
- Set debt payments and savings before discretionary spending.
- Allocate the rest to dining out, shopping, and fun money.
Example allocation ranges
- Housing: 25–35%
- Groceries: 10–15%
- Transportation: 5–15%
- Debt: 0–20%
- Savings: 10–20%
- Other & fun money: the rest
Try the paycheck budget planner for paycheck-by-paycheck planning, or read about zero-based budgeting.
Frequently asked questions
What should a monthly budget include?
Income after tax, fixed costs (rent, utilities, insurance), variable costs (groceries, gas), debt payments, savings, and a fun money allowance.
How much should I save each month?
A common target is 10–20% of your take-home pay if your budget allows. Start small if you need to — consistency matters more than the amount.
How much should I spend on rent?
A common rule is no more than ~30% of take-home pay on housing, but it depends on your city and other costs.
Build your monthly budget
Open Dollarboard and turn this month's paycheck into a clear plan.
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