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Budgeting4 min read

The 50/30/20 budget, made simple

The 50/30/20 rule is an easy way to balance your spending. It splits your take-home pay into three buckets, and no spreadsheets are required.

The three buckets

50% goes to needs (rent, bills, food, transport), 30% to wants (eating out, hobbies, subscriptions), and 20% to your future (saving, investing, and paying down debt).

Treat it as a starting point, not a straitjacket. If your rent is high, adjust the percentages. The real win is giving every pound a job, especially that 20% for future-you.

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This guide is general financial education, not personal advice. Always do your own research, and consider speaking to a regulated adviser for your specific circumstances.