by Scott Pape
A simple, no-nonsense guide to managing your money and building wealth.
Budget Calculator
Build a monthly budget and find surplus to redirect toward savings or debt.
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The 50/30/20 Rule Explained
The 50/30/20 rule divides your after-tax income into three buckets: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and extra debt payments. It's a starting point, not gospel — if you're in heavy debt, you might flip it to 50/20/30 and throw more at your balances.
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Find Hidden Budget Leaks
Rocket Money scans your accounts and identifies recurring charges you've forgotten about. Most users find $50–200/month in savings.
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Zero-Based Budgeting
In a zero-based budget, every dollar of income gets assigned a job — spending, saving, or debt payment — until you hit exactly $0 unallocated. It forces intentionality and makes it much harder to overspend. Find the best tools to help on NerdWallet — Best Budget Apps →.