Question 1

What is the 50/30/20 rule?

Accepted Answer

Split your take-home pay three ways: 50% for needs like rent, food, commute and bills, 30% for wants like eating out and shopping, and 20% for savings. It is a starting point, not a law. On a lower salary, 70/20/10 or 80/10/10 is often more realistic.

Question 2

Should I budget from my gross salary or my take-home pay?

Accepted Answer

Budget from take-home, the amount that actually lands in your account. SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG and withholding tax come out first. If you only know your gross salary, start there and the planner estimates your take-home using 2026 rates.

Question 3

Where does padala go in my budget?

Accepted Answer

Give it its own line. Decide a fixed amount before payday and take it off the top, so it doesn't quietly come out of your savings. The Breadwinner Split sets aside 20% for family, or you can type your own padala amount into any split.

Question 4

How much should I save from a ₱15,000 salary?

Accepted Answer

Aim for 10% to 20% of your take-home, and start with 10% if that is what fits. A ₱15,000 gross salary is about ₱13,675 after SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG, so 10% is about ₱1,370 a month. That builds a ₱8,200 starter emergency fund in six months. Even a small amount saved every payday builds the habit.

Question 5

How do I budget when I'm paid on the 15th and 30th?

Accepted Answer

Assign each expense to a payout. Rent and most bills usually come out of the 30th, while food and commute are split across both. Move your savings on each payday before you spend anything else.

Question 6

Is my salary information saved or sent anywhere?

Accepted Answer

No. Everything is calculated in your browser. Your last plan is saved in this browser's local storage so it's there when you come back, and it never leaves your device.

How to budget a ₱21,000 salary

₱21,000 on every split

50/30/20

60/20/20

70/20/10

80/10/10

Pay Yourself First

Breadwinner Split

6 Jars

Common questions

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