In a world where there is a sea of personal finance gurus and tactics, navigating through hundreds of expenses, financial goals and saving strategies can look seem a daunting task. This creates confusion and can look like an impossible puzzle that will stop individuals in their tracks when it comes to financial management. Luckily there is a simple rule one can follow to improve simplicity and effectiveness of financial awareness and wealth building called the 50/30/20 rule.
The rule of 50/30/20 is a simple and accessible way for individuals and families to track and manage their finances. The rule is a simple and straightforward approach that allocates after tax income into three main categories: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt repayment.
Needs (50%): Your Base Foundation
Needs is the the base category of the 50/30/20 rule that envelopes essential expenses crucial for maintaining basic living standards. This category includes mortgage/rent, groceries, utilities, transportation and any healthcare costs. These are expenses that every single human being needs to live on a day to day basis. This is the category that sets your foundation and provides stability and security which allows individuals to focus on other elements of their finances without worry.
Wants (30%): Lifestyle Enhancement
The Wants category is the category that keeps individuals sane. It allows you to enjoy your life and use your money towards things you want but might not necessarily need. Things like hobbies, dining out, entertainment and other luxuries that give you a life worth living for are all apart of the 30 percent category. This allows every human to live without feeling guilt towards spending money the way they want.
20% for Savings and Debt Repayment
The last 20% is benchmarked to enhance your future and put you in a place where you can create a lasting impact on your financial future. This category is the area where you start to look forward and build momentum. It is here where you pay into your emergency fund, invest towards your future, and knock debt out. This is an essential stage that will set you up for a future of abundance and gratitude and allow you to feel good about where you will ultimately end in your financial future.
The Art of Adapting the 50/30/20 Rule
The beauty of the 50/30/20 rule resides in its simplicity and flexibility. It is a framework of personal finance management anyone can handle in an ever changing and dynamic world of spending and saving. With the fast paced life we live today, this rule is adaptable and one any individual or family can use to keep them on the right track. Here are a the next steps to get started using 50/30/20 rule.
Steps to Apply and Put the 50/30/20 Rule into Practice
- Calculate your after-tax income: This is the amount of money you get in your paychecks. This money is calculated after taxes have been ripped from your paycheck by the government.
- Categorize your expenses: Divide your expenses into three categories talked about above. Needs, Wants, and Savings and Debt Repayment.
- Allocate your income: Assign 50% of your income to Needs, 30% to Wants, and 20% to Savings and Debt Repayment.
- Track your spending: On a monthly basis monitor and track your expenses to ensure you know how you are spending in each category.
- Adjust as you need: Circumstances change. It is a part of life. Revisit your budget and make adjustments accordingly on a monthly basis. to the percentages accordingly.
Added Benefits of the 50/30/20 Rule
- Fortifies savings: Dedicating 20% of your income for savings and debt reduction ensures you always put money away for the future.
- Enhances financial discipline: Clear boundaries on spending prevent overspending and add in financial responsibility automatically.
- Stress Reduction: A financial plan allows individuals to bypass financial worry and stress.
- Financial Fitness and Fulfillment: The 50/30/20 rule realigns your spending with your financial objectives. This makes it easier to achieve your goals.
- Heighten financial literacy: The process alone of tracking and managing your finances gives you better financial awareness and understanding.
Conclusion
The 50/30/20 rule is a perfect tool for those who do not like to dig into every penny they spend and for those who like to keep things simple. If you follow this simple rule you will transform your financial life and situation. By adopting this simple and effective approach, you can take control of your finances, prioritize your needs, and achieve your financial goals. This will allow you to lay the ground work necessary to gain financial freedom. The key with any rule or guideline is to always be consistent and continue to use is month after month. If you can continue to embrace the power of the 50/30/20 rule over time, the journey towards financial freedom is there for you to grasp and change your future forever.
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