Put in what comes in and where it goes. You do not need to be too strict, just average strict.
This is financial education, not financial advice. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter, and any rates shown are illustrative.
How to read your result.
For anyone whose pay disappears before the month ends, or who has never written a budget down.
Left over this month
Money with no job yet. If it is positive, decide today where it goes, with the emergency fund first in line. If it shows as over budget, the plan spends more than comes in.
The 50/30/20 bars
Each bar is the share of your take-home pay going to needs, wants, and savings plus debt. The line marks the guide. Needs running over is common in Nairobi; what matters is that savings still get something.
Savings rate
The share of income you put away. Anything above zero is a start. Nudge it up a little each month rather than jumping to 20% overnight.
Where to go from here.
Related reading.
The ideas behind this tool, explained properly. Each one takes a few minutes.
Questions people ask.
What is the 50/30/20 rule?
It is a simple guide: about 50% of your take-home pay on needs, 30% on wants and 20% on savings and paying off debt. It is a starting point, not a law. Rent in Nairobi alone can take more than half of some salaries, and that is fine as long as you can see it and plan around it.
Should I use gross or net salary?
Use your take-home pay, the amount that actually lands in your account after PAYE, NSSF, SHIF and the housing levy. That is the money you can give a job.
Where do chama contributions and SACCO deposits go?
If the money is building savings for you, put it under savings. If it is a loan repayment to the SACCO, put it under debt. Family support usually sits under needs, because it is not really optional.
Is my budget saved anywhere?
No. Everything stays in your browser and disappears when you close the page. If you want a copy, use "Email me my results".
Got your number? Let’s talk about it.
The Financial Clinic is a short, free check-in where we look at your actual goals and timelines together. No products to sell you.