50/30/20 Budget Templates - 5 Cute (&Free!) Budgeting Planners

What’s better than one cute 50/30/20 budget template? 5 of them!

50/30/20 Budget Templates | SaturdayGift

Ready to make a financial plan and start budgeting while making sure you’re contributing to your savings and investments?

The 50/30/20 budgeting rule is a popular method that helps you save, invest, and enjoy some of the finer things in life.

In this post, you’ll find five pretty & practical printables to create your 50/30/20 budget.

How to download & print

Scroll down until you see your favorite design
The instant download links are located under each image or set of images.

(If you’d like more detailed instructions or to watch a short video, you can find them here.)

Paper size: US letter (some designs are resizable to A4 and other sizes).

© SaturdayGift Ltd. For personal use only. You’re welcome to share photos of your filled-in printables, but please don’t copy, redistribute, sell, or share the blank files in any form, or claim them as your own.

Disclaimer: The content provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Consult a financial professional for personalized guidance on budgeting and managing your finances.

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5 Cute & free 50/30/20 budget templates

Here are seven 50/30/20 budget templates that you can download and use for free to help you get started with your budgeting journey.

Psst! You can combine these designs with the other cute & free finance planners and trackers to create a money management binder.

What is the 50/30/20 budget?

The 50/30/20 rule is super simple.

You take your income (take-home pay) and divide it into three categories:

50% for needs
30% for wants
20% for savings and debt repayment

50/30/20 budget calculator

Use this free budget calculator to determine how much money you’ll need to allocate from your income to needs, wants, and savings.

CHECK OUT: Free 50/30/20 Budget Calculator

How to use the 50/30/20 budget template

Here’s how to use the 50/30/20 printables.

1. Income

Start by entering your monthly income in the designated field.

Include all sources of income such as salary, bonuses, tips, and other side hustles.

Use your monthly after-tax income (net income) for accuracy.

2. Needs (50%)

List your essential expenses: rent/mortgage, utilities, groceries, health insurance, and transportation.

Be sure to allocate enough money for these expenses as they are necessary for daily living.

3. Wants (30%)

Include all non-essential expenses in this section, such as dining out, entertainment, and shopping.

It’s important to still have room for wants in your budget to maintain a healthy balance between saving and enjoying life.

4. Savings and Debt Repayment (20%)

This section is for your long-term financial goals and debt payments.

Include any savings goals, such as retirement, an emergency fund, a savings account, or a down payment on a house.

Also, allocate money towards any outstanding debt payments.

50/30/20 Rule Budgeting Templates | SaturdayGift

Categories to use with the 50/30/20 rule Template

Here’s a list of categories you can choose for your template. Feel free to add and remove categories so they fit your financial situation.

50% – Needs (must-haves)

These include all mandatory expenses.

Housing (rent/mortgage)
Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
Groceries
Transportation (car payments, gas, public transportation)
Health Insurance
Childcare/Dependent Care

If these fixed expenses exceed 50% of your income, try reducing them, such as downsizing to cut major expenses like rent/mortgage or car payments or finding cheaper options for utilities or groceries.

30% – Wants (Nice-to-haves)

Dining Out/Takeout
Entertainment (movies, concerts, etc.)
Subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.)
Shopping (clothing, electronics, luxury items)
Hobbies/Recreation
Vacations

It’s essential to have a reasonable amount allocated towards wants to maintain a balanced and enjoyable lifestyle.

20% – Savings and Debt Repayment:

Retirement accounts
Emergency fund
Savings accounts
Sinking funds
Student Loans
Credit Card Debt

Financial freedom means eliminating debt, saving diligently, and making wise investments.

50/30/20 Budget Rule Planners | SaturdayGift

Tips for using the 50/30/20 budget template

Prioritize your needs over wants, but also allocate enough money for enjoyment in your budget.
Automate saving money by setting up automatic payments to your savings accounts.
Always pay high-interest debt first.
Be honest with your income and expenses to track your spending accurately.
Keep going even if you can’t stick to the exact percentages. The goal is to create a budget that works for you, not against you.
Celebrate small victories in your financial journey, whether paying off debt or reaching a savings goal. It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate your progress.
If the 50/30/20 rule is not a good fit for you, try another budgeting system, like zero-based budgeting.

You might also like: Zero-Based Budget Template – 7 Cute & Free Printables (+ Tips)