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The 75/15/10 budget: Pros, cons and who should use one

Mom with son and daughter
Maskot/Getty Images/Maskot

A budget can help you manage your money wisely and achieve your financial goals. It's important, though, to find the right approach to budgeting for your situation. Some involve detailed line items that label every dollar spent and saved while others divide financial responsibilities into broad categories with flexibility.

The 75/15/10 rule could be a good fit if you're looking for a simple budgeting strategy that helps you know how much to spend, invest and save—even if you have a lot of expenses. Here's what you need to know to decide if this budget is right for you.

What is the 75/15/10 rule and how does it work?

The 75/15/10 budgeting method splits your after-tax income between needs, investments and savings. A few budgeting strategies suggest dividing your money into categories, such as the 50/30/20 budget, but this shifts a larger portion to needs:

  • 75% for needs. This is for your everyday living expenses, including regular payments like rent or mortgage, car loans, student loans and utilities plus the variable amounts you spend on groceries, clothing and entertainment.
  • 15% for investments. This is for your long-term goals, such as retirement, opening a business or putting yourself or your child through college. It could include investing in a 401(k), IRA, 529 plan, real estate, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, etc., and giving it a chance to grow over time.
  • 10% for savings. This is for your short-term goals, such as building an emergency fund, saving for a vacation, or getting ready to buy a car. Money in this category goes into an interest-earning account that's easily accessible for planned larger purchases or unexpected emergencies.

"Categorized budgets simplify the process by organizing your money into broad, intuitive 'buckets'—such as Earn, Save, Pay and Spend," says Claire Hevel, design leader and co-founder of Thrivent's Money Canvas program. "This reduces decision fatigue and shifts your mindset from obsessing over every transaction to recognizing meaningful spending patterns."

Rather than micromanaging each dollar, with categorized budgets, you’re building a natural rhythm with your money, she says.

"For anyone who feels overwhelmed, this approach offers both clarity and control," Hevel adds. "It’s easier to do a quick gut-check like, 'Am I staying within my spend limit this month?' than to track and label every line item. Simpler categorization creates space for consistency, and consistency is what drives habit-building."

Why does the 75/15/10 budget work?

The 75/15/10 rule helps you allocate your money in line with your priorities. This particular split emphasizes putting the lion's share toward meeting your day-to-day needs while also making sure you're working toward long- and short-term goals. Without guardrails, it's easy to overspend on today's wants and wishes and not save enough for the future or build wealth.

Example of the 75/15/10 budget

Let's say your household earns $6,000 in take-home pay each month. With the 75/15/10 rule, that would mean $4,500 per month goes to your everyday needs, $900 goes to investments for long-term goals and $600 goes to liquid savings for short-term goals.

$6,000 net income 75 15 10
75% Needs $4,500 15% Investments $900 10% Savings $600

Pros of the 75/15/10 rule

The 75/15/10 method can make sense if you have a lot of necessary expenses but still find it important to budget money for saving and investing. These are the main advantages:

  • It's simple and doesn't require much tracking. Once you've sliced off 15% for investing and 10% for saving, the rest can be spent as flexibly as you need without documenting detailed subcategories, as long as you don't overspend.
  • It's generous for spenders. Compared to other budgeting systems, the 75/15/10 budget allocates more income to your day-to-day expenses. This can be especially helpful if you have to spend most of your money on housing, food and necessities and can't lower those expenses significantly.
  • It helps focus on saving for different goals. By putting some money toward long-term goals and some toward short-term, you're looking out for the multifaceted needs and wants of your future self. Like the 80/20 budget, this is a way of "paying yourself first."

Cons of the 75/15/10 rule

All budgets have trade-offs, and the 75/15/10 rule may not be the perfect one for your financial situation as it changes throughout your life. Here are some of the drawbacks:

  • Accumulates modest savings. With a total of 25% of your income going toward savings for short- and long-term goals, it's not the best choice if you want to save more aggressively.
  • It can be limiting if you have a large amount of debt. Following this budget method doesn't give much wiggle room for paying down high-interest debt unless it comes out of your needs. One solution is to trim your spending on non-essentials if that's possible for you.
  • The percentages may be unrealistic. Households that spend equal to or greater than their income may have a hard time diverting 15% to investments and 10% to savings. But, as with any budget, you can adjust the percentages to fit your situation.
Budgets are meant to adapt. The key is to recognize when immediate stability takes precedence, make adjustments intentionally, and revisit your plan once you've regained some breathing room.
Claire Hevel, design leader and co-founder of Thrivent's Money Canvas program

Who should use the 75/15/10 rule?

With such a large portion of income devoted to everyday spending, the 75/15/10 can be a smart method for households with high or growing expenses, like families with young children. If you're dealing with rising child care costs or are putting aside money for a new or different car, you can be sure you're meeting your current needs while still building retirement and short-term savings with this budget method.

On the other hand, a stricter budget could help you reach your financial goals faster. Young professionals or those who could significantly reduce their spending on non-essentials may want to choose a budget that encourages them to live on less and invest more.

How to start using the 75/15/10 budget

Consider these strategies to help make the 75/15/10 budget work for you:

  1. Track your monthly income and expenses. Use a budget app or a spreadsheet to track your income and spending and see how the 75/15/10 ratio looks when applied to your financial situation.
  2. Reduce your spending where you can. If your living expenses account for the full 75% of your income, it may be worth seeing if you can lower your spending by eliminating subscriptions or memberships you don't really use or eating out a little less. The more you can free up for your investing and savings goals, the better.
  3. Adjust your budget as needed. At times, you may not be able to follow the 75/15/10 percentages exactly. As with any budgeting rule, adjust by allocating more to expenses or savings if necessary.
  4. Get help when you need it. Expert help, like that of a financial advisor, can be critical, especially when choosing investments or developing a long-term financial strategy.

"A clear signal it’s time to reallocate your budget toward essentials is when core needs—like food, housing, transportation, or healthcare—are consistently underfunded or causing financial stress," Hevel says. "If you’re leaning on credit cards to buy groceries, falling behind on bills or feeling anxious about covering rent, those are warning signs that your financial foundation may need reinforcement. In these situations, it’s completely valid to temporarily scale back discretionary spending or put a pause on savings goals.

"Flexibility isn't a failure; it’s a smart response to changing circumstances. Budgets are meant to adapt. The key is to recognize when immediate stability takes precedence, make adjustments intentionally, and revisit your plan once you've regained some breathing room."

75/15/10 budget FAQs

What kind of investments should be considered for the 15% allocation?

The 15% portion of the 75/15/10 budget is focused on long-term financial growth. This is where you invest in your future goals, such as retirement, education savings or building wealth over time. Common investment options include employer-sponsored retirement plans such as a 401(k) or 403(b), IRAs (Traditional or Roth), brokerage accounts, mutual funds, ETFs, and managed accounts that spread investments across stocks, bonds and other assets to balance growth potential with risk.

The right mix depends on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and overall financial goals. A financial advisor can help tailor an investment strategy that aligns with your values and future plans.

Where should short-term savings (10%) be kept?

The 10% allocation is intended for short-term savings and future expenses, so safety and accessibility matter more than growth. Good options could include high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts or funds, or certificates of deposit.

This money might cover upcoming expenses like a vacation, holiday spending or an emergency fund buffer. The key is to keep it liquid and low risk so it’s ready when you need it.

Can I use the 75/15/10 budget with variable income?

Yes. Many people with variable income—such as freelancers, sales professionals, or seasonal workers—successfully use the 75/15/10 framework. The key is adjusting your approach to suit your needs. For example, you might base allocations on percentages instead of fixed dollar amounts or keep extra reserve in your short-term savings for months when income dips.

How do I adjust the 75/15/10 budget if I’m in debt?

If you’re carrying significant debt, the 75/15/10 framework still can work with a few adjustments. For example, you may want to prioritize high-interest debt, maintain some short-term savings and resume investing as soon as possible

Deciding on the budget that's right for you

The 75/15/10 rule is a simple way to budget your money by diverting 75% to needs, 15% to long-term investments and 10% to short-term savings. It's best for those facing high or growing expenses, but there are several budgeting methods to choose from. A Thrivent financial advisor can offer expert advice on managing your money and balancing today's needs with tomorrow's goals.

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Concepts presented are intended for educational purposes. This information should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy, or product.

CDs offer a fixed rate of return. The value of a CD is guaranteed up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured institution, by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC). An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the FDIC or any other government agency. A money market fund seeks to maintain the value of $1.00 per share although you could lose money. The FDIC is an independent agency of the U.S. government that protects the funds depositors place in banks and savings associations. FDIC insurance is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

Hypothetical example is for illustrative purposes. May not be representative of actual results. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. 

A mutual fund’s prospectus will contain more information on its investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses, which investors should read carefully and consider before investing. Available at thriventfunds.com.
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