Budgeting Tool

Income

Enter any income you have. Please skip anything that doesn't apply to you.
Your wages or earnings after tax
Any money you get from your lodger(s) or anyone else living with you
Any money you get from a pension
Include both private and state pension
Any money you get from investments
This is any income you get from things like renting out your property, or dividends or interest on savings.
Any child maintenance or support you receive

Benefits

You might not realise you're getting a benefit - check our list below, and select each one that you're receiving. Then enter the amount you get for it and choose how often you get it. If you add a benefit by mistake, select 'remove'.
Add a benefit

Debts you're paying back

If you've fallen behind on bills or debt payments and are paying off arrears, enter them here.
Add payments

Bills

Enter the amount you spend on each of these bills and how often. Please skip any that don't apply to you.
Rent or mortgage
Enter full amount due (don't deduct any housing benefit)
Council Tax (or rates if you're in Northern Ireland)
Enter the amount you pay (after any deductions)
Gas
Electricity
Any other fuel costs (eg oil, coal or firewood)
Water
Include any wastewater or sewerage charges
Mobile phone (if pay-as-you-go please estimate)
Home phone
If you have a package deal see your bill for how much you're charged for home phone.
TV subscription (eg Sky or Netflix)
If you have a package deal see your bill for how much you're charged for your TV subscription.
Internet
If you have a package deal see your bill for how much you're charged for your internet.
TV licence
Home insurance (contents, buildings or both)
Loan payments
Include any regular payments made for loans from the bank, a loan company, family or friends.
Credit card payments
Your regular monthly payment (don't include missed payments)
Hire purchase payments
These are things you're paying off over a certain number of weeks, like catalogue items, furniture, or electrical items.
Student loan payments
If your student loan payments are deducted from your income through PAYE then skip this

Household and personal

Enter the amount you spend on each of these household expenses and how often. Please skip any that don't apply to you.
Grocery shopping
Include things like food, toiletries, cleaning supplies (but not alcohol, tobacco or scratchcards)
Clothing and footwear
Hairdresser or barber
Launderette or dry-cleaning
Healthcare
Repairs and house maintenance
Any other household spending

Family and pets

Choose each family-related expense in this list that you're responsible for and enter the amount you spend and how often. Please skip any that don't apply to you.
Add payments

Leisure

Enter the amount you spend on leisure and entertainment and how often. Please skip any that don't apply to you.
Eating out
Include coffees, teas and snacks.
Going out
For example drinks out, taxis, admission charges.
Staying in
For example alcohol you buy from a shop to drink at home, or take-away meals.
Memberships
For example gym or cinema membership.
Website subscriptions
For example news, magazines, dating or music/video streaming.
Newspapers and magazines
Don't include online subscriptions.
Books or music
In any format.
Season tickets
Event tickets
Include cinema, theatre, sports events, concerts, etc.
Holidays
Include cost of travel, accommodation, dining and going out, and insurance.
Sports and hobbies
Tobacco
Include electronic cigarettes.
Gambling
Include lotto, pools and scratchcards
Other leisure

Transport

Enter the amount you spend on transport. Don't include anything that you spend on your own car. Please skip any that don't apply to you.
Public transport
For example bus, train, boat and tram journeys.
Taxis
Bicycle
Include general running costs such as repair or rental.
Car rental
Include fuel, parking charges and tolls.
Other transport expenses

Car or other vehicle

Enter the amount you spend on your car (or other vehicle). Skip anything that doesn't apply to you.
Car insurance
Road tax
Fuel
MOT
Car maintenance
Breakdown or recovery
Parking, congestion charges and tolls
Other car-related spending

Savings and investments

If you regularly put money into a pension, savings or investments, enter the amount here.
Include any money you pay into an ISA or premium bonds

Results

You have £0 left each month.
You're spending exactly the same amount as you've got coming in.
You're spending £0 over the amount you've got coming in.
Total monthly income: £0
Total monthly spending: £0

What you can do

Although you're balancing your budget, you don't have any money left to put aside for emergencies, unseen future expenses or retirement.

You should read our advice on getting help with bills. This could help stop you getting into debt. To keep on top of your spending use the budget tool each time your money situation changes.

Dealing with debts

If you have debts your budget can be used to help find the right debt solution for your circumstances. Read our advice on getting out of debt, get help from your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Tips for keeping on top of your budget

Keep a spending diary for a month to track exactly what you spend. You could also keep receipts and write down everything you spend your money on, or use a spending diary app on your mobile phone. There are lots of free apps available - search on ‘spending tracker’ in your phone's app store to find one. Print out and use our spending sheet if you'd rather do this on paper.

Some local Citizens Advice offices also run free sessions on budgeting and managing your money. Contact your local Citizens Advice in England and Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland to find out whether they offer these.

Monthly income breakdown

Income£0
Benefits£0
Total£0

Monthly spending breakdown

Debts you're paying back£0
Bills£0
Household and personal£0
Family and pets£0
Leisure£0
Transport£0
Car or other vehicle£0
Savings and investments£0
Total£0