Budget Master – Take control of your money

Meera (26), a Bangalore marketing executive, just started earning and feels overwhelmed by budgeting. Arjun (34), a Mumbai freelance graphic designer with irregular income, struggles to plan monthly spending. Both use Budget Master to build foundational knowledge.

• 50/30/20 rule: Meera learns to allocate 50% to needs, 30% to wants, 20% to savings – a simple framework she applies to her salary.
• Emergency fund: Arjun discovers an emergency fund should cover 3‑6 months of essential expenses – crucial for his variable income. Use the Emergency Fund Calculator.
• Tax‑saving investments: Meera understands Section 80C through a question on PPF and ELSS, helping her plan tax‑efficient savings.
• Budgeting with variable income: A question on variable income teaches Arjun to base his budget on the lowest expected month and save surplus during high‑earning months.
• Expense categorisation: Both learn the difference between needs and wants – rent/EMI vs. dining out – helping them prioritise.
• Rent‑to‑income ratio: A calculation question shows Meera that rent should ideally be ≤30% of income, guiding her next housing decision.
• GST on restaurants: Arjun learns that most restaurant bills include 5% GST – a small but practical insight for daily budgeting.
• Hints & explanations: When stuck, both use hints to understand terms, and detailed feedback reinforces learning.

• 50/30/20 rule: Needs 50%, Wants 30%, Savings 20% – a great starting point for most salaried individuals.
• Emergency fund: Build 3‑6 months of expenses in a liquid account before aggressive investing.
• Tax planning: Use Section 80C (up to ₹1.5L) to reduce taxable income. PPF, ELSS, and NPS are popular options.
• Track expenses: Use the Expenses Wallet to identify spending leaks – you can’t manage what you don’t measure.
• Set SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‑bound. A goal without a plan is just a wish.
• Avoid lifestyle inflation: Save more when your income increases – don’t let expenses eat the entire raise.
• Review monthly: Check your budget at the end of each month and adjust for the next. Budgeting is a continuous process.
• Use sinking funds: Save monthly for irregular expenses (insurance, car service, annual travel) to avoid surprises.
• Rent‑to‑income ratio: Keep rent under 30% of monthly income to maintain financial flexibility. Per RBI guidelines, lenders also use this to assess loan eligibility.