Budget Calculator
Build a monthly budget and track income vs. expenses by category.
Budget Calculator
Build a monthly budget and track income vs. expenses by category.
Savings Growth Formula
ℹ️ Assumes monthly compounding interest
Disclaimer
Results provided by this calculator are for informational and educational purposes only. They are based on the values you enter and standard formulas, and should not be considered financial, medical, legal, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important decisions based on these results. Roughtools makes no warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of these calculations for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pro Tips
Time in the market beats timing the market. Missing just the 10 best trading days over 20 years can cut your returns in half. Stay invested through downturns.
Tax-advantaged accounts (401k, Roth IRA) let your investments grow tax-free or tax-deferred — always max these before investing in taxable accounts.
The Rule of 72: divide 72 by your annual return to estimate years to double. At 7%, money doubles every ~10.3 years. At 10%, every 7.2 years.
Increase your contribution by just 1% of salary each year you get a raise. You won't notice the difference in take-home pay, but it compounds dramatically over decades.
When to Use This Calculator
See how even small monthly contributions grow dramatically over time with compound returns — motivation to start immediately.
Calculate how much to save monthly to reach a college fund target in 10–18 years at a realistic return rate.
Project your portfolio balance at retirement based on current savings rate and expected returns.
Compare the outcome of investing a windfall now versus spreading it as monthly contributions over time.
Compare outcomes at different return rates (5%, 7%, 9%) to understand the impact of investment choice on final balance.
About the Budget Calculator
This budget calculator helps you build a complete monthly budget by entering your income sources and categorized expenses — housing, food, transport, utilities, entertainment, savings, and debt payments. See your monthly surplus or deficit, the percentage of income going to each category, and whether you're following the 50/30/20 rule. Built for anyone starting a budget, managing a household, or tracking spending against financial goals.
How to Use the Budget Calculator
- 1
Enter all monthly income sources (salary, freelance, rental income, etc.).
- 2
Enter monthly expenses for each category (housing, food, transport, etc.).
- 3
See total income, total expenses, and monthly surplus or deficit.
- 4
Review the percentage breakdown by category against the 50/30/20 guideline.
- 5
Adjust categories to find opportunities to save or reallocate spending.
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