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Worklife Money 101 What is the 50/30/20 Rule?
 * Money 101


WHAT IS THE 50/30/20 RULE?

 * by Marianne Hayes

 * September 20, 2021

| [wtr-time] Min Read

B

udgeting can be an intimidating concept, but it’s really nothing more than a
plan for managing your income and expenses. Eighty percent of Americans follow a
budget, according to a recent Debt.com survey. What’s more, the majority of
folks in this camp say that budgeting has helped them stay out of debt. 

 

The key is choosing a simple budgeting method that’s designed to prevent
overspending. The 50/30/20 rule is just that. Here’s how to use it to build a
strong financial foundation.


IN THIS ARTICLE

 *  1. Clarify your income and expenses.
 * 2. Divide your expenses into different categories.
 * 3. Take stock of where you are.
 * 4. Adjust your spending plan.
 * More about Financial Wellness


 1. CLARIFY YOUR INCOME AND EXPENSES.

The 50/30/20 rule divides your spending into three main categories: essential
expenses, discretionary spending, and financial goals. In order to do this,
you’ll first need to take an honest look at your income and expenses. 

 * Your income
   Think about any money you have coming in on a regular basis. This includes
   paychecks, as well as cash from any side hustles or part-time gigs. In a
   typical month, how much income are you generating? If your income fluctuates
   from month to month, that’s ok. You can look back over the last six months or
   so to get a feel for your average income. (Lowballing this number is a smart
   way to play it safe.)
 * Your expenses
   Take the time to skim through your debit and credit card statements from the
   last few months. Now ask yourself how much you spend in an average month. You
   may notice a gap between what you think you’re spending versus how much you
   actually spend. If you’re overspending, take heart in knowing that you’re not
   alone — 17% of Americans spend more than they make, according to a 2020
   report from the Financial Health Network. The good news is that understanding
   your spending habits can help you take control of your finances and establish
   new patterns.


2. DIVIDE YOUR EXPENSES INTO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

When reviewing your expenses, you’ll likely notice that they fall into one of
the three main categories we mentioned earlier.

 * Essential expenses
   These are fixed expenses that you can’t really avoid — think rent or mortgage
   payments, utility bills, phone bills and so on. In other words, it’s regular
   monthly spending that’s related to your basic living needs. This includes
   regular debt payments like credit card minimum payments and student loan
   bills.
 * Discretionary spending
   This type of spending isn’t technically essential, but it probably plays
   heavily into your lifestyle. This bucket refers to any expenses that make
   your life a little easier or simply bring you joy. Eating out, going to a
   concert, shopping with friends, grabbing coffee on the go; these are all
   examples of discretionary spending.
 * Financial goals
   This refers to spending that’s related to your short- and long-term financial
   goals. Maybe you routinely set aside a certain dollar amount every month for
   your next vacation or the down payment on a house. If you’re kicking into a
   401(k) or other type of retirement fund, these contributions go in this
   category.

It’s easy to get down on yourself if you feel like you aren’t putting enough of
your income into this bucket. Think of it more as an opportunity to recognize
your spending habits. It’s the first step in resetting your perspective so that
you can start fresh and make real movement on your financial goals.

 


3. TAKE STOCK OF WHERE YOU ARE.

Now that you’ve clarified your spending, it’s time to add up the totals for each
category. When you do the math, what percentage of your monthly income is being
spent in each one. The 50/30/20 rule suggests dividing your spending like this:

 


Essential expenses 50%
Discretionary spending 30%
Financial goals 20%
50.0%30.0%20.0%


 

 

If your current numbers don’t line up with these recommendations, don’t stress.
You can now get intentional about making important tweaks.

 

 


4. ADJUST YOUR SPENDING PLAN.

Reviewing your expenses might have made you realize that you’ve been
overspending in certain categories. You can address these imbalances in the
following ways:

 * Swap out expenses
   Let’s say your essential expenses are higher than you’d like so you’re not
   able to contribute enough to your financial goals. Is it possible to bring
   down your discretionary spending to make up the difference? Something as
   simple as meal planning and reducing your take-out orders could be enough to
   balance things out.
 * Reduce spending in each category
   Even if your spending is on point for each category, bringing down your
   expenses can free up more money each month. You may have already spotted some
   budget-busters you can eliminate, like subscriptions you’ve been meaning to
   cancel or a cable bill you could easily live without. Calling your service
   providers and asking for rate reductions is another option. In fact, 69% of
   people who asked their credit card issuer for a lower interest rate ended up
   getting it, according to a CreditCards.com survey. Refinancing student loans
   or consolidating debt can also be effective.
 * Increase your income
   If your spending is already pretty lean, making even deeper cuts could
   negatively impact your quality of life. Instead, look at your income. Is it
   possible to dial up your earnings? Picking up a side gig could tip the scales
   so that your budget is more livable. You might also consider approaching your
   employer for a raise if it’s warranted, or looking for a new job altogether.
   Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Taking on a roommate or selling
   your car and opting for public transportation are larger-scale strategies
   that could transform your budget.

The 50/30/20 rule is a budgeting style that can set the stage for financial
freedom. Treat it less like a hard-and-fast rule and more as a way to prevent
overspending so that you can live comfortably and reach your financial
goals. DailyPay is aligned with this vision and can help you make the most of
your income.


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