Get started · Plan
Plan for today and later.
Choose only the categories that your household needs. You can add or remove a category at any time.
Category prompts
Brainstorm your first list.
These are prompts, not requirements. Start with a short useful list and add categories when real life shows you need them.
01Housing25-35% of take-home pay. Includes required costs for a roof over your head.
- Rent or mortgage
- Property taxes
- Homeowners or renters insurance
- Homeowners association fees
02Savings10-15% of take-home pay for emergency funds or retirement.
- Emergency fund
- Retirement contributions
- Home repair fund
- Car repair fund
- Other essential large future purchases
03Food10-15% of take-home pay. Includes essential spending for food.
- Groceries
04Transportation10-15% of take-home pay. Includes required costs for getting around.
- Car loans
- Gas or fuel
- Public transit
- Repairs and maintenance
- Parking and tolls
- Rideshare or taxi
- Auto insurance
05Insurance10-25% of take-home pay. Excludes auto and home insurance.
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
06Utilities5-10% of take-home pay.
- Electricity
- Water and sewer
- Gas, oil, or propane
- Phone
- Internet
- Trash and recycling
07Personal / Clothing5-15% of take-home pay.
- Clothes and shoes
- Haircuts
- Toiletries
- Personal spending
- Work clothes or tools
08Health Care5-10% of take-home pay for out-of-pocket costs, copays, and prescriptions.
- Doctor visits and copays
- Prescriptions
- Dental care
- Vision care and glasses
- Therapy or counseling
- Medical supplies
- Insurance deductibles
09Recreation / Entertainment5-10% of take-home pay.
- Restaurants and takeout
- Subscriptions and streaming services
- Date nights
- Trips
- Books or games
- Hobbies
- Sports or events
- Non-essential future purchases
10Miscellaneous5-10% of take-home pay for costs that do not fit elsewhere.
- Childcare
- School costs
- Pet care
- Gifts and birthdays
- Professional dues
- Bank fees
- Other household expenses
Known future costs
Save a little each month.
Use a sinking fund for a known cost. Name the cost and the date.
Total cost÷Months left=Monthly amount
Example: $600 car insurance ÷ 6 months = $100 each month.