Budget Percent Calculator

An Expense Percentage Calculator Can Reveal Areas Of Over Spending

It's helpful to use this Budget Percent Calculator to examine your household budget spending on a percentage basis based on suggested spending guidelines. This can often reveal areas of over spending.

For instance, if you should only be spending 5 to 10 percent of your net income on recreation, yet you're currently spending 15% or more on movies and restaurant meals, it's no wonder you're always running short of cash. You need to bring your recreational spending in line with your overall budget.

Here are suggested percentage guidelines based on net income compiled by Dave Ramsey, author of the New York Times® bestsellers Financial Peace Revisited and Total Money Makeover, which he says are only "recommended percentages" and will change dramatically if you have a very high or very low income.

For instance, if you have a very low income your necessities percentages such as housing, utilities and food will tend to be high. If you have a high income, your necessities will be a lower percentage of your income, and hopefully savings (not debt) will be higher than recommended.