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50/30/20 Budget Calculator

A simple way to split your monthly pay — 50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings. Enter your take-home income to see the amounts.

Use net (after-EPF/tax) income — check the salary calculator if unsure.

Needs — 50%RM 2,500

Rent, food, transport, bills, minimum debt payments

Wants — 30%RM 1,500

Dining out, subscriptions, travel, shopping

Savings & debt — 20%RM 1,000

Emergency fund, investing, extra debt repayment

Frequently asked questions

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

It's a simple budgeting framework: put 50% of your take-home pay toward needs (rent, food, transport, bills), 30% toward wants (dining, subscriptions, travel), and 20% toward savings and extra debt repayment.

Should I use gross or net income?

Use net — your actual take-home after EPF, SOCSO, EIS and tax. If you only know your gross salary, run it through the salary calculator first.

What if my needs are more than 50%?

In higher-cost cities, needs often exceed 50%. That's fine as a starting point — the rule is a guide, not a law. Aim to keep the savings slice intact even if you trim wants to make room for essential needs.

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