50/30/20 Budget Template – 5 Cute (&Free!) Budgeting Planners
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What’s better than one cute 50/30/20 budget template? 5 of them!
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.
Just scroll down until you see your favorite design and the download link for the PDF is below each image.
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.
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.
All free printables ©SaturdayGift Ltd. For personal use only, not to be copied, distributed, altered, or sold.
Paper size: US letter, but resizable (to A4 page size and other sizes)
Elegant 50/30/20 template
DOWNLOAD: Elegant 50/30/20 Template PDF
Simple monthly budget template
DOWNLOAD: Simple 50/30/20 Budget Printable
Cute 50/30/20 budget template
DOWNLOAD: Cute 50/30/20 Budget Template
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
READ MORE: 50/30/20 Rule – A Simple Budgeting Method + Examples
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.
RELATED POST: Income Tracker Printable – 19 Cute & Free Printable Templates
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.
RELATED POST: Bill Organizer Template – 39 Cute & Free Printable Bill Trackers
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.
RELATED POST: Expense Tracker Printable – 26 cute & Free Spending Logs
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.
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.
RELATED POST: 200+ Budgeting Categories + Budget Categories List PDF
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)
More money management printables
Here, you can find all the cute & free personal finance templates.
CHECK OUT: All Budgeting & Money Saving Printables by SaturdayGift