Free Budgeting Calculator

Start by setting your budget period dates. Add expenses by entering the item name, category, and amount. Click the gear icon next to 'Add Item' to set additional options like payment frequency (weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, monthly) or link items to savings goals. Our calculator intelligently handles mixed frequencies - for example, you can track monthly rent alongside weekly groceries. The Budget Summary shows your total expenses and remaining balance.

Each budget item can have its own frequency. Click the gear icon when adding or editing an item to set weekly, biweekly, semi-monthly, or monthly frequency. The calculator automatically adjusts amounts based on your budget period. Items with non-default frequencies display a blue gear icon to indicate advanced settings are active. This ensures accurate totals regardless of how you get paid or when bills are due.

Yes! Click on any budget item row in the table to edit its details. You can also click the gear icon next to each item for quick access to settings - items with custom frequencies or linked to savings goals will show a blue gear icon. The 'Spent' column lets you track how much you've actually spent on each item. On mobile, tap the gear icon or 'Edit' button on each item card.

Savings goals help you track progress toward specific financial objectives like a vacation, emergency fund, or down payment. Click 'Savings Goals' in the sidebar to create a goal with a target amount and date. When adding or editing budget items, click the gear icon and link the item to a goal. The calculator automatically tracks how much you're contributing. Goals can auto-add to new budgets, making it easy to stay consistent with your savings plan.

Essential categories include: Housing (rent/mortgage), Transportation (car payment, gas, insurance), Food & Dining (groceries, restaurants), Utilities (electric, water, internet), Healthcare, Debt Payments, Savings, and Investments. Add Entertainment, Personal Care, Shopping, and Education categories as needed for your situation. Our calculator includes all common categories in the dropdown menu to get you started.

Click 'Compare' in the Budget Summary to simulate budget changes. You'll see your current budget items where you can adjust amounts or remove items. Add new items to test different scenarios. The comparison automatically calculates your potential savings and shows the difference in real-time. This is perfect for planning changes like cutting a subscription, reducing dining out, or adding a new expense.

Absolutely! If you don't have investments in your budget yet, you may see a suggestion notification. Click the amber info icon in the Budget Expenses header to learn more. The calculator can show potential growth over time at different return rates. Even small, consistent investments can grow significantly thanks to compound interest. Add investments just like any other budget item, and consider linking them to a long-term savings goal.

Yes! WealthTools budget calculator is 100% free forever. No hidden fees, no premium plans, no paywalls. You can use it without signing up, though creating a free account lets you save unlimited budgets, access them from any device, and create savings goals. All features including the gear icon settings, budget comparison, spending tracking, and investment suggestions remain completely free.