The 1/3 Rule of Budgeting and How to Use It the Right Way (2024)

Budgeting

August 15, 2023

Breakdown of the 1/3 Rule of Budgeting

The one third rule of budgeting is a financial planning classic. Let’s go over this simple rule of money management in brief, so you can get started budgeting and saving! And scroll down to the bottom to watch my short video about budgeting.

Written By Tiffany Woodfield, Financial Coach, TEP, CRPC®, CIM®

Q: What is the 1/3 rule for budgeting?

The 1/3 rule of budgeting is a simple financial guideline that suggests allocating your after-tax income into three broad categories: home, living expenses, and saving and investments.

The ⅓ rule for budgeting will help you avoid overextending yourself, particularly when looking to purchase a new home or when finding a place to rent. The rule is that a third of your take-home income should be used towards your home, a third for living expenses, and the last third should be for savings and investments.

While using the 1/3 rule of budgeting is not always realistic, depending on where you live, it is crucial to understand that if you overextend yourself, you will end up being stressed and not enjoying where you live, regardless of how great it initially seemed.

It’s important to note that housing costs for renters include rent and utilities; for owners, it includes your mortgage, utilities, property taxes, and homeowner insurance.

The 1/3 Rule of Budgeting and How to Use It the Right Way (1)

Budgeting and Money Mindset

How can I force myself to budget?

It is normal to find it challenging to make a change and start budgeting.

But whenever we “force” ourselves to do anything, we feel bad.

Whenever you say, “I can’t spend on this” or “I have to budget,” you feel deprived. Instead, train yourself to use the critical phrase “I choose.” Feel the difference between saying, “I can’t spend on this,” versus, “I am choosing not to spend on this.”

I bet you can feel the change in your body. When you say, “I choose.” You feel empowered and in control of your destiny. It is the decision of feeling like a victim versus the hero of your own story.

Sticking to a budget as absolutely possible with the right mindset.

The 1/3 Rule of Budgeting and How to Use It the Right Way (2)

Why can’t I stick to a budget?

There are a few main reasons why you can’t stick to a budget:

  1. The budget is too restrictive
  2. You don’t see the rewards of budgeting
  3. Changing habits is difficult
  4. FOMO – Fear of missing out on what your friends and family are doing

This first reason is a more straightforward fix as it is logical, so you need to evaluate your budget and make sure it is realistic.

The other reasons are often more difficult to shift because they are based on your subconscious beliefs.

The practical tools, such as a budget tracker, won’t work to unlock your subconscious roadblocks. You are using the wrong key, so the door will never open.

You need to use a different key.

To work on your subconscious roadblocks, you need to look within to understand your beliefs around money that are holding you back. Manifesting and working on limiting beliefs can be helpful. I wrote an article about how to manifest anything, so check that out. In addition, I recommend reading the article I wrote about how to be rich. While the title might feel confronting, it’s full of information and mindset shifts that will help.

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Why does budgeting give me anxiety?

The word budgeting often gives people anxiety because they instantly feel like they are doing something wrong and need to change.

A budget is like looking in the mirror at your finances: you are making yourself accountable and facing your fear. To counter this, remind yourself that you haven’t done anything wrong, and it is normal to feel this way.

You reduce your anxiety by acknowledging you aren’t in trouble, bad, or frivolous. And by using positive affirmations such as “I am getting control of my finances,” you reduce your anxiety.

Quick Video: 5 Basic Elements of a Budget that Everyone Needs to Know

These five elements of a budget are critical to consider when you’re creating a financial plan that helps you build towards a work-optional lifestyle and financial freedom.

Related Articles on Budgeting

💎 How to Stick to a Budget (Even If You’re New to Budgeting)

💎Budgeting 101: How to Create and Follow a Simple Budget

💎 Three Essential Money Management Rules for Growing Your Wealth

About the Author

The 1/3 Rule of Budgeting and How to Use It the Right Way (4)

TIFFANY WOODFIELDis a financial coach, cross-border expert, and entrepreneur based out of Kelowna, BC. As a TEP and associate portfolio manager, Tiffany has extensive experience working with successful professionals who want to leave a legacy and enjoy an adventurous, work-optional lifestyle. Tiffany combines extensive knowledge from her background as a financial professional with coaching and her passion for personal development to help her clients create a unique path that allows them to live their fullest potential. Tiffany has been a regular contributor to Bloomberg TV and has been interviewed by national and international publications, including the Globe and Mail and Barron’s.

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The 1/3 Rule of Budgeting and How to Use It the Right Way (2024)

FAQs

What is the 1 3 rule of budgeting? ›

The rule is that a third of your take-home income should be used towards your home, a third for living expenses, and the last third should be for savings and investments.

What are the 3 steps of budgeting? ›

25 May 3 steps to creating a budget that works
  • Track your income. The first step is to identify your monthly income. ...
  • Track your expenses. ...
  • Balance your budget.
May 25, 2024

What are the three budget rules? ›

The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What are the 3 P's of budgeting? ›

Introducing the three P's of budgeting

Think of it more as a way to create a plan to spend your money on things that matter to you. Get started in three easy steps — paycheck, prioritize and plan.

What does the rule of 1 3 mean to a business? ›

For instance, a quick and dirty estimate of business profit can fall under the 1/3 rule. One-third of your revenues should be profitable. One-third of the work you need to complete will probably require one-third tools or one-third materials and one-third labor.

What are the 3 main points of a budget? ›

3 Essential Elements of a Budget: People, Data, Process
  • People. A budget can't be created, at its very foundation, by anyone but a human being. ...
  • Data. Obviously data is just as important as the human element – you can't create a budget without raw numbers. ...
  • Process.
Jul 21, 2020

What is the 3 way budget model? ›

A three-way forecast, also known as the 3 financial statements is a financial model combining three key reports into one consolidated forecast. It links your Profit & Loss (income statement), balance sheet and cashflow projections together so you can forecast your future cash position and financial health.

What is the 50/30/20 rule? ›

The rule is to split your after-tax income into three categories of spending: 50% on needs, 30% on wants, and 20% on savings. 1. This intuitive and straightforward rule can help you draw up a reasonable budget that you can stick to over time in order to meet your financial goals.

What is the 70/20/10 rule money? ›

The 70-20-10 budget formula divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 70% for living expenses, 20% for savings and debt, and 10% for additional savings and donations. By allocating your available income into these three distinct categories, you can better manage your money on a daily basis.

What are the 3 R's of a good budget? ›

Refuse, Reduce and Reuse.

Is 50/30/20 realistic? ›

For many people, the 50/30/20 rule works extremely well—it provides significant room in your budget for discretionary spending while setting aside income to pay down debt and save. But the exact breakdown between “needs,” “wants” and savings may not be ideal for everyone.

What is the 50 30 20 rule for 401k? ›

Key Takeaways

The 50/30/20 budget rule states that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on needs and obligations that you must have or must do. The remaining half should be split between savings and debt repayment (20%) and everything else that you might want (30%).

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