What Is The 70-20-10 Budget Rule?

If you want a money plan that helps you sort out your finances and work towards your big goals, the 70-20-10 budget rule is what you need. 

In this post, we’ll explore this rule and find a balance between living well now, securing your future, and pursuing your dreams, all while keeping your money stable.

Understanding the 70-20-10 Rule

At its core, the 70-20-10 budget rule is a simple yet powerful guideline for managing your finances. It suggests dividing your income into three distinct categories:

70% – Necessities

This portion of your income should be allocated to covering essential expenses. These necessities include housing costs, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance premiums, and other essential bills. 

This category ensures that you maintain a stable and comfortable lifestyle without going into debt or neglecting crucial obligations.

20% – Savings and Investments

The second segment of your income, 20%, is dedicated to securing your financial future. This category emphasizes the importance of saving and investing to achieve long-term goals, such as retirement planning, building an emergency fund, or investing in stocks, bonds, or other assets. 

It enables you to harness the power of compound interest and grow your wealth over time.

10% – Discretionary Spending

The final 10% is reserved for discretionary spending. These are expenses related to entertainment, dining out, hobbies, and non-essential purchases. It offers you the flexibility to enjoy life’s pleasures without straining your budget or compromising your financial stability.

Recommended reading: How to Manage Your Finances With Microsoft Excel

The Components of the 70-20-10 Rule

The 70-20-10 budget rule is a practical financial guideline that divides your income into three key components, each serving a specific purpose. 

By understanding and effectively managing these components, you can achieve greater financial stability and work towards your long-term financial goals.

70% – Necessities

In the 70-20-10 rule, the largest portion of your income, 70%, is allocated to covering your essential necessities. 

These are the fundamental expenses that you must meet to maintain a basic standard of living. Here are some examples of necessities:

Examples of Necessities

• Housing Costs: This includes rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, and homeowners’ or renters’ insurance.
• Utilities: Expenses for electricity, water, gas, and heating or cooling your home.
• Groceries: The cost of food and household supplies for you and your family.
• Transportation: This covers expenses related to your commute, such as fuel, public transportation, or car maintenance.
• Insurance Premiums: Health insurance, auto insurance, and any other insurance policies you need.
• Debt Payments: Minimum payments on loans or credit cards fall into this category.
• Childcare: If you have children, the costs associated with their care and education are considered necessities.

Allocating the majority of your income to necessities ensures that you meet your basic needs and maintain financial stability. It also helps prevent overspending on non-essential items.

20% – Savings and Investments

The second component of the 70-20-10 rule focuses on securing your financial future. You allocate 20% of your income to savings and investments, which serve as a safety net and a path to wealth accumulation.

Strategies for Savings and Investments

• Emergency Fund: Begin by building an emergency fund that can cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses. This fund provides financial security in case of unexpected events like medical emergencies or job loss.
• Retirement Accounts: Contribute to retirement accounts such as a 401(k) or an Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Take advantage of employer matching contributions if available.
• Investments: Consider investing in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other assets to grow your wealth over time. Diversify your portfolio to manage risk.
• Debt Reduction: Use part of this 20% to accelerate debt repayment, particularly high-interest debt like credit card balances.
• Long-Term Goals: Save for specific long-term goals, such as buying a home, funding your children’s education, or starting a business.

By consistently allocating a portion of your income to savings and investments, you not only prepare for unexpected expenses but also create a pathway towards financial independence and retirement security.

10% – Discretionary Spending

The final 10% of your income under the 70-20-10 rule is designated for discretionary spending. This category allows you to enjoy some of life’s pleasures without compromising your financial stability.

Managing Discretionary Expenses

• Budgeting: Create a discretionary spending budget to track your non-essential expenses. This can include dining out, entertainment, hobbies, and shopping for non-essential items.
• Prioritization: Allocate your discretionary spending budget based on your personal preferences and priorities. You can spend it on experiences, leisure activities, or items that bring you joy.
• Accountability: Keep a close eye on your discretionary spending to avoid overspending. Consider using cash or a dedicated debit/credit card for discretionary purchases to stay within your budget.
• Adjustment: If your financial circumstances change, you can adjust the allocation in this category to accommodate new goals or lifestyle changes.

Benefits and Advantages of The 70-20-10 Budget Rule

The 70-20-10 budget rule offers a structured approach to managing your finances, and it comes with several compelling benefits and advantages that can significantly impact your financial well-being. These are:

Why Use the 70-20-10 Rule?

The 70-20-10 rule is a popular budgeting method for several reasons:

• Simplicity: Its straightforward allocation percentages make it easy to understand and implement, even for those new to budgeting.
• Balance: The rule encourages a balanced approach to finance, ensuring that you cover necessities, save for the future, and enjoy discretionary spending.
• Financial Stability: By allocating a significant portion of your income to necessities, you ensure that you can meet your basic needs without stress or financial strain.
• Long-Term Planning: The 20% allocation for savings and investments sets the stage for long-term financial success, helping you build wealth and achieve your financial goals.
• Flexibility: The 10% discretionary spending category provides room for leisure and enjoyment, enhancing your overall quality of life.

Advantages for Financial Stability

Implementing the 70-20-10 rule can lead to enhanced financial stability:

• Emergency Preparedness: With a dedicated 20% for savings, you’re better equipped to handle unexpected expenses, reducing the risk of falling into debt during emergencies.
• Debt Reduction: By allocating funds to pay off high-interest debts, you can work toward becoming debt-free faster, freeing up more of your income for saving and investing.
• Long-Term Security: Consistent savings and investments over time can lead to financial security and independence, ensuring a comfortable retirement and achieving major life goals.
• Reduced Stress: Knowing that you have allocated funds for both essentials and future needs can reduce financial stress and anxiety.

Recommended reading: Financial Forecasting and Budgeting for Effective Practice Management

How to Implement the 70-20-10 Rule

Now that you’re acquainted with the 70-20-10 budget rule, let’s delve into the practical steps to bring this financial strategy to life. Here’s how to implement the 70-20-10 rule:

Creating a Personal Budget

To successfully implement the 70-20-10 rule, follow these steps:

• Calculate Your Income: Determine your monthly or annual income after taxes.
• Identify Necessities: List your essential expenses, including housing, utilities, groceries, and debt payments. Calculate 70% of your income, and allocate this amount to cover these necessities.
• Allocate 20% for Savings and Investments: Set up automatic transfers to your savings accounts or retirement funds to ensure you consistently save this portion of your income.
• Allocate 10% for Discretionary Spending: Create a discretionary spending budget for entertainment, dining out, hobbies, and non-essential purchases. Stick to this budget to avoid overspending.

Tips for Successful Implementation

Follow the following steps for a successful implementation of the 70-20-10 rule:

• Automate Savings: Consider setting up automatic transfers to your savings and investment accounts to ensure you consistently allocate 20% of your income.
• Prioritize Debt: If you have high-interest debt, prioritize paying it off with a portion of the 20% allocated to savings and investments.
• Review and Adjust: Regularly review your budget to ensure it aligns with your financial goals. Adjust the allocations as needed based on changes in your income or expenses.
• Emergency Fund: Build and maintain an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a separate account.
• Track Discretionary Spending: Use budgeting tools or apps to track your discretionary spending and ensure you stay within the 10% allocation.

Common Pitfalls and Mistakes

Even with a well-structured budgeting rule like the 70-20-10 rule, it’s important to be aware of common pitfalls and mistakes that can hinder your financial progress. 

By recognizing and avoiding these issues, you can stay on track towards your financial goals.

Avoiding Budgeting Pitfalls

• Overlooking Unexpected Expenses: Failing to account for unforeseen expenses can disrupt your budget. Be prepared for emergencies by maintaining an emergency fund.
• Neglecting Regular Budget Reviews: Set aside time to review your budget regularly. Life circumstances change, and your budget should adapt accordingly.
• Not Tracking Discretionary Spending: Without proper tracking, discretionary spending can easily exceed the allocated 10%. Keep a close eye on these expenses to stay within your budget.
• Ignoring Debt: High-interest debt can erode your financial progress. Prioritize paying off debts to free up more funds for savings and investments.

Learning from Common Mistakes

• Overspending: If you constantly find yourself exceeding the 70% for necessities or the 10% for discretionary spending, learn from past mistakes and adjust your budget accordingly.
• Inadequate Savings: If you struggle to save 20%, start small and gradually increase your savings rate as your financial situation improves.
• Failing to Invest: Avoiding investments can hinder wealth accumulation. Educate yourself about investment options and consider seeking professional advice.
• Rigid Budgeting: While the 70-20-10 rule provides a solid framework, be flexible and adapt it to your unique financial goals and lifestyle.

Adjusting the Rule to Your Needs

The 70-20-10 rule is a valuable guideline, but it may not suit everyone’s financial circumstances. Fortunately, it can be customized to better align with your specific needs and goals.

Customizing the 70-20-10 Rule

Here’s how to customize the 70-20-10 rule in accordance with your need:

• Income Fluctuations: If your income varies month to month, adjust the percentages accordingly. During months with higher income, allocate more to savings and investments.
• High Debt Load: If you have substantial debt, consider temporarily reallocating more than 20% to debt repayment until your high-interest debts are under control.
• Specific Goals: Customize your budget to meet specific financial goals, such as saving for a down payment on a house or funding a dream vacation.
• Alternative Categories: If your lifestyle demands different categories, modify the rule to better reflect your priorities. For instance, if you’re a student, you might allocate more to education expenses.

Alternative Budgeting Methods

While the 70-20-10 rule is effective for many, alternative budgeting methods may better suit your needs. Some popular alternatives include:

• 50/30/20 Rule: This budgeting approach allocates 50% of your income to necessities, 30% to discretionary spending, and 20% to savings and debt repayment.
• Zero-Based Budgeting: In this method, every dollar of your income is allocated to a specific expense or savings goal, ensuring that you allocate every penny.
• Envelope Budgeting: Physical envelopes represent different spending categories, helping you manage discretionary spending effectively.
• Priority-Based Budgeting: Focuses on budgeting based on your top financial priorities, ensuring they receive the highest allocation.

Recommended reading: What Is a Financial Management System (FMS)?

Conclusion

The 70-20-10 budget rule provides a valuable framework for achieving financial stability, preparing for the future, and enjoying discretionary spending. By understanding its components, benefits, and potential pitfalls, you can make informed financial decisions. 

Remember that the rule is not rigid, and you can adjust it to suit your unique circumstances and goals. Whether you stick with the 70-20-10 rule or explore alternative budgeting methods, the key is to maintain discipline, regularly review your budget, and prioritize your financial well-being for a more secure and prosperous future.