A simple rule for saving & spending
This budgeting guideline can help you feel more in control of your money and make faster progress toward your goals.
- By Fidelity Viewpoints
- – 07/12/2021
50 / 15 / 5
Here's how much of your money you should aim to spend on three key things.
Essential expenses: 50%
These are things you can't get by without, like housing, food, transportation, and health care.
How to get there
- Turn the thermostat down a bit in the winter and up in the summer.
- Check your health insurance options, and make sure you aren't paying for more coverage than you need.
- Consider driving a more affordable car.
- When gas prices are low, put the savings into an emergency fund.
- Save on food. Stock up on groceries when they're on sale: decide on limits for eating out.
- Check in on streaming and other subscriptions from time to time, and cancel any you don't use.
Retirement savings: 15%
This target includes any money your employer contributes.
- Increase your savings gradually until you reach your goal. Even saving 1% more can make a big difference.
- If you get a bonus, save some of it for retirement.
- Save at least enough to take full advantage of any employer match.
Short-term savings: 5%
This is a safety net in case you have an unexpected expense that doesn't qualify as an emergency.- What is this money for? Unexpected budget-busters like a wedding invitation or a car repair.
- Isn't that an emergency fund? You should also have the equivalent of 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund, but that is for true emergencies like a job loss or health crisis. Build your emergency fund first and your short-term savings second.
- Don't be tempted to spend: Have this money automatically transferred into a savings account.