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Family Budget Calculator

Build a budget your whole household can live with.

Handle two incomes, kid expenses, retirement, and 529 savings in one view. See your household savings rate and exactly where to cut when things get tight.

$10,700

monthly household income

Excellent · 16% savings rate

Household

Needs (fixed)

Wants (variable)

Savings

Household roll-up

Income

$10,700

Expenses

$9,755

Needs

$6,860 (64%)

Wants

$1,145 (11%)

Savings

$1,750 (16%)

Monthly surplus

$945

Freedom Coach™

Household surplus: $945/mo. Savings rate 16.4%.

4 people at $2,001/mo each. ~$855/mo per kid.

  • Great savings rate — keep automating it.
  • Fund a 529 for each kid on autopilot — even $100/mo becomes ~$40k by college at 6%.

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Save scenarios & unlock all tools

Save household budgets, compare 'what if we cut childcare / bought a house' scenarios, and share access with your spouse.

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Frequently asked questions

How is a family budget different from a single-person budget?

Families have irregular but chunky costs — childcare, kids' activities, healthcare, and education savings. The 50/30/20 rule still applies, but 'needs' often stretch to 55–60% while kids are young.

How much should I budget for kids?

USDA data shows middle-income families spend $16k–$18k per child per year. Childcare and housing drive the biggest jumps — plan for both before the baby arrives.

Should I stop retirement contributions to save for college?

No. Kids can borrow for college, but you can't borrow for retirement. Save at least 15% for retirement first, then whatever's left toward a 529.

What's a good family savings rate?

Aim for 15–20% of household income across retirement, emergency, and education combined. High-cost-of-living families with young kids may need to start at 10% and ramp.

How do I get my spouse on board with budgeting?

Frame it as 'we're deciding together where our money goes.' Automate the essentials, give each partner a personal spending allowance no questions asked, and revisit monthly for 20 minutes.

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