Monthly Budget Planner
A free monthly budget planner. Add your income and spending to see what is left each month and how your money splits between needs, wants and savings.
Money coming in (after tax, per month)
Needs
Costs you must pay to live and work
Wants
Things you could reduce if you had to
Savings and extra debt repayment
Money you put aside or use to clear debt faster
Your monthly picture
Enter your income to see your results.
How to use the budget planner
Start with your take-home income: what actually reaches your bank account each month after tax and National Insurance. Then fill in what you spend in each category. If a bill is paid yearly or weekly, convert it to a monthly figure first (yearly bills divided by 12, weekly bills multiplied by 52 and divided by 12).
The planner groups your spending into needs, wants and savings or debt repayment, and shows how that compares with the popular 50/30/20 guideline: roughly half of income for needs, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt repayment. It is a rule of thumb rather than a target, and many households with high housing costs or debts will look different.
Getting accurate numbers
The most reliable way to fill in a budget is to look at three months of bank and card statements rather than relying on memory. People often underestimate small, regular spending such as food delivery, subscriptions and cash withdrawals. Look especially for direct debits and standing orders you had forgotten about.
Your data stays in your browser. Nothing you enter into this planner is sent to or stored by MoneyBrink.
What to do with what is left
If you have money left over, decide on purpose where it goes: a small emergency fund first, then paying down expensive debt, then longer-term saving or investing. If you are short each month, look at the biggest costs first, since small cuts to large bills usually make more difference than many tiny savings. If your essential costs are more than your income, free help is available from MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice and StepChange.
Common questions
Should I use income before or after tax?
Use your take-home pay, which is the amount you actually receive after tax, National Insurance, pension contributions and student loan deductions. That is the money you have available to spend.
What counts as a need and what counts as a want?
Needs are costs you must pay to live and work: housing, utilities, basic food, transport to work, insurance and minimum debt payments. Wants are things you could reduce or stop if you had to, such as eating out, subscriptions and holidays.
Does MoneyBrink keep my budget?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser and nothing is sent to our servers.
Related guides
These calculators give estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions listed above. They are not financial advice. Your numbers are worked out in your browser and are not sent to us.
This page provides general information only. It is not personalised financial, legal or tax advice, and rules and figures can change. Your situation is unique — please check official sources such as GOV.UK and MoneyHelper, and speak to a qualified, FCA-authorised adviser before making important decisions about your money.