Single, $2,600 take-home (about $38k salary)
Housing with roommate $700 · utilities share $90 · phone $30
$820 fixed
Groceries $320 · transit pass $85 · household $50 · medical $40
$495 essentials
Minimum debt $120 · savings autopay $150
$270 obligations-and-future
Wants: $250 · buffer $65
Every dollar assigned; fun is planned, not leaked
Couple, $5,400 take-home
Rent $1,550 · utilities $220 · phones $70 · insurance $210
$2,050 fixed (38%)
Groceries $650 · fuel $260 · household $120
$1,030 essentials
Savings $700 · extra debt $300
19% to the future — near the 20% lane
Wants $1,000 · buffer $120
Two people, one shared list, fifteen minutes a month
Family of four, $6,800 take-home
Mortgage+escrow $1,950 · utilities $310 · phones $95 · insurance $280
$2,635 fixed
Groceries $1,050 · fuel $340 · childcare $760 · medical $150
$2,300 essentials
Savings $500 · sinking funds (car, holidays, school) $250
$750 future-and-known-surprises
Wants $900 · buffer $215
Sinking funds are why December doesn't break this budget