Budget methods

Pick the money framework
that fits you.

Spenditure supports six popular budgeting methods. Choose one in Settings and the app adjusts its warning levels, savings target, and emergency-fund goal to match. You can switch any time.

50/30/20 · FIRE · Dave Ramsey · Pay Yourself First · Zero-Based · Kakeibo

Budget method

50/30/20

Balanced lifestyle & savings

Split your take-home pay three ways: about 50% for needs (rent, utilities, food, insurance, minimum debt payments), 30% for wants (subscriptions, dining, entertainment), and 20% for savings and extra debt payoff.

It was popularized by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi in All Your Worth (2005). The key idea is the needs ceiling: once fixed costs pass about half your income, there's little room left to absorb a surprise.

Best for: most people with a steady income who want a simple framework without tracking every dollar.

Read the full 50/30/20 guide, with examples →

Budget method

FIRE

Financial independence, retire early

Keep fixed costs low and save a large share of income — often half or more — to build investments that can eventually cover your living costs.

Many FIRE planners aim for roughly 25 times their yearly spending, based on the “4% rule” from retirement research such as the Trinity Study (1998).

Best for: high earners willing to live well below their means in exchange for financial independence sooner.
Budget method

Dave Ramsey

Debt freedom, baby steps

A step-by-step plan: save a small starter emergency fund, pay off non-mortgage debt smallest-balance-first (the “debt snowball”), then build a full 3–6 month emergency fund and start investing.

The snowball favors quick wins over saving the most interest, which helps many people stay motivated until the debt is gone.

Best for: people with consumer debt who want clear steps and visible wins.
Budget method

Pay Yourself First

Save first, spend the rest freely

As soon as you get paid, move your savings target to a separate account. Whatever is left is yours to spend, with no category tracking.

It works because it removes the decision: savings happen automatically instead of relying on willpower at the end of the month.

Best for: people with consistent income who find detailed budgeting frustrating but still want to save reliably.
Budget method

Zero-Based

Every dollar has a job

Before the month starts, give every expected dollar of income a job — bills, spending, savings — until nothing is left unassigned.

It takes a bit of planning each month, but gives you the clearest view of where everything is going.

Best for: detail-oriented people who want full control over every spending decision.
Budget method

Kakeibo

Mindful Japanese budgeting

A Japanese household-ledger method from 1904 with four buckets: survival, optional, culture, and extra. Each month starts with four questions: How much do I have? How much do I want to save? How much can I spend? How can I improve?

Saving is decided before spending begins, and the monthly reflection keeps you thinking about why you spend, not just how much.

Best for: mindful spenders who want to understand the habits behind their spending.

Not sure which to pick? Start with 50/30/20 — it's the default and works for most households. Spenditure isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Dave Ramsey, Ramsey Solutions, or any author named here. Method descriptions are general information, not financial advice.

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