Budget & Cash Flow Worksheet

Budget & Cash Flow Worksheet
Target Allocation 50/30/20 Framework
%
%
%
Targets should sum to 100% for a meaningful comparison. Current total: 100%
💰 Monthly Income
$
Side income, rental, benefits
$
🏠 Needs — Essential Expenses
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
🎯 Wants — Discretionary
$
$
$
$
$
$
📈 Savings & Extra Debt Payoff
$
$
$
$
📊 Results
Net Monthly Cash Flow
$0
Savings Rate
0%
of net income
Total Income / mo
$0
Monthly net income
Needs
$0
0% of income
Wants
$0
0% of income
Savings / Debt
$0
0% of income
Total Allocated
$0
0% of income
Actual vs Target Breakdown
Needs
0%
Target: 50%
Wants
0%
Target: 30%
Savings / Debt
0%
Target: 20%
Unallocated
0%
Actual vs Target — Visual Comparison
How your spending compares to your 50/30/20 targets
Actual %
Target %

How to Interpret This Worksheet

50/30/20 Rule
A common budgeting guideline: 50% of net income to needs, 30% to wants, 20% to savings and extra debt repayment. It is a starting benchmark — adjust the targets for each client’s situation (e.g. high cost-of-living areas often require a higher needs share).
Net Cash Flow
Income minus everything allocated above. A positive number is unallocated surplus — an opportunity to increase savings or invest more. A negative number means spending exceeds income and the client may be relying on credit or drawing down savings.
Savings Rate
The Savings/Debt percentage is the client’s savings rate. Above 15–20% is generally considered strong for long-term goals such as retirement or financial independence.
Needs vs. Wants
Some categories (e.g. transport) can be split between essential and discretionary. Use consistent judgment across review periods so trends stay comparable over time.
This worksheet is a coaching aid and is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute tax, legal, or regulated financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional for personalised guidance.