Rules of Thumb in Managing a Budget
Article
Budget
By TPE Hub
Published: 07/15/2025
Read Time: 4 min
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There are several rules of thumb that can be useful for managing a budget. Some of the key rules of thumb for managing a budget include:
- The 50/30/20 rule: The 50/30/20 rule is a simple guideline for allocating your income among different spending categories. The rule suggests that you should spend no more than 50% of your income on necessities, such as housing, food, and utilities; no more than 30% on discretionary expenses, such as entertainment and dining out.
The 50/30/20 rule can be used in conjunction with what some call Cash Stuffing or the Envelope Rule. Essentially stuffing cash in an envelope for each category and only using the cash for that purpose. It's not very practical in a cashless digital world, but similar ideas can be used using a budget app such as TPEHub offers (linked at the bottom of this article). - The 30-day rule: The 30-day rule is a simple way to curb impulse spending. It suggests that whenever you are tempted to make an unnecessary or impulsive purchase, you should wait 30 days before making the decision. This can give you time to think about whether the purchase is truly necessary and whether it fits into your overall financial plan. It will also give you a chance to consider a cheaper alternative (e.g. "Today I want that BMW 3 series - oh yeah baby, that's what I'm talking about. But if I wait a month, perhaps I will be cool with the perfectly lovely, infinitely reliable Hyundai Sonata"). Editor note: Hyundai did not sponsor this article, but we would be happy if they donated a new Hyundai Sonata to the editor's mom to replace her 2008 Sonata.
- The debt-to-income ratio: The debt-to-income ratio is a measure of how much of your income is being used to make debt payments. It is calculated by dividing your monthly debt payments by your monthly gross income. A debt-to-income ratio of 36% or less is generally considered to be healthy, while a ratio above 43% may indicate that you are over-leveraged and may have difficulty making your monthly payments. Of course these ratios depend on whether the debt you have includes a mortgage in which case these numbers may be a bit higher
Overall, these rules of thumb can provide a useful starting point for managing your budget and making informed decisions about your spending and savings. However, it is important to remember that every individual's financial situation is unique, and these rules may not be appropriate for everyone. It can be helpful to consult with a financial advisor to develop a budget that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.
For help with your budget see our budget calculators below: