Guide
Budget percentages: the benchmark numbers that actually matter
Budget percentages are reference points: housing under 30%, food 10–15%, savings 20%, debt minimums before fun. They are guidelines, not laws — but they are only useful if you can see your own percentages. A dated ledger computes them from your real dated items automatically.
- Reference splits
Housing, food, transport, savings, debt — the common ranges for each.
- Your real numbers
The calendar totals each category so your actual percentage is visible.
- Percentages update live
Add a transaction and the category share updates immediately.
- Spot the outlier
See which category is quietly eating more than its benchmark.
Common benchmark ranges
| Category | Common range | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | 25–35% | The biggest fixed line — the one that breaks budgets |
| Food | 10–15% | Flexible, and the most common overspend |
| Transport | 10–15% | Fuel, transit, insurance, repairs |
| Savings | 10–20% | Pay yourself before spending |
| Debt | 5–10% minimums | Minimums before discretionary |
How to check your own percentages
- Add your recurring income and bills to the calendar.
- Add a month of real spending in each category.
- Read the category totals against income — that is your real split.
- Adjust one category and watch the projection respond.
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard budget percentages?
Common benchmarks: housing 25–35%, food 10–15%, transport 10–15%, savings 10–20%, debt minimums before discretionary.
Do percentages need to be exact?
No — they are diagnostics. The goal is to see your real split and correct the category that is out of line.
How do I see my percentages?
Track a month of dated income and spending; the app totals each category so the percentages calculate themselves.
Benchmarks you can actually check
Free core, automatic category totals.