💰 Beginner’s Guide to Budgeting in India – 50/30/20 Rule & Beyond

Ever feel like your salary disappears too fast?
You’re not alone — but there’s a simple fix: budgeting.

It’s not about cutting all fun or living like a monk.
It’s about knowing where your money goes and telling it what to do.

Let’s start with the easiest budgeting method for beginners in India.


🔢 What Is the 50/30/20 Budget Rule?

It’s a simple formula to divide your monthly income:

  • 50% Needs – Rent, groceries, bills, insurance
  • 30% Wants – Shopping, dining out, Netflix, lifestyle
  • 20% Savings & Investments – SIPs, emergency fund, debt repayment

Example: Salary ₹30,000/month

  • ₹15,000 → Needs
  • ₹9,000 → Wants
  • ₹6,000 → Savings

🧠 Why This Rule Works for Indians

✅ Simple math – No fancy apps needed
✅ Flexible – Works for any income
✅ Scalable – Grows with your salary
✅ Balances life + future planning


📊 How to Build Your Budget in 5 Steps

1. Know Your Monthly Income (After Tax)

Don’t budget based on CTC. Use your actual bank-credited salary.


2. Track Your Expenses for 1 Month

Use apps like:

  • Walnut
  • Money Manager
  • Spendee
    Or just a Google Sheet.

You’ll be shocked where your ₹ actually goes.


3. Categorize Expenses: Needs vs Wants

Needs: Rent, travel, bills, groceries
Wants: Swiggy, online shopping, premium apps


4. Set a Fixed Saving Target

Start with 20% of income. If you can do more — great!

Use auto-debit into:

  • Emergency fund
  • SIPs
  • Recurring deposit

5. Review & Adjust Monthly

Your budget is not a punishment — it’s a plan.
Tweak based on life changes, salary hikes, or new goals.


🛠️ Popular Budgeting Apps in India

  • ET Money – Great for tracking + investing
  • Goodbudget – Envelope-style budgeting
  • Moneyfy – Expense and investment tracking
  • Excel/Google Sheets – Classic and powerful

🔁 Related Posts:


You don’t need more money. You need a better plan for your money.
Start budgeting today — your future self will be richer (literally). 💸


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Simple tips on how to save, invest, and master your monthly money flow in India.

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