Add Monthly Expense
Not sure of exact amounts?
Enter a single monthly total and we'll use it. You can always come back and add details later.
Expense category
⚠️ Is this a personal or business expense?
This category is sometimes used for business. Since you have self-employment income, we need to know which bucket this belongs in — it directly affects your financial picture and what your advisor sees.
✈️ How does your travel spending work?
Travel is rarely a consistent monthly expense. Tell us your pattern so we can calculate an accurate monthly budget figure.
Total annual travel budget
Why we divide by 12
Even though you don't spend on travel every month, a well-built budget sets aside money for it every month — so when the trip comes, the money is already there. We divide your annual budget by 12 to show your true monthly cost of travel.
How it affects results
This monthly reserve reduces your discretionary income — which is more accurate. Leaving travel out of your budget makes your discretionary income look larger than it really is, and your debt payoff plan won't hold up when vacation time comes.
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📊 Rolling average — last 3 months
Enter what you actually spent on travel in each of the last 3 months. Enter $0 for months you didn't travel. We'll calculate your real monthly average.
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3-month average → monthly budget
$0.00
Details
Description
Required
Please enter a description.
Payee / provider
Optional
Amount
Is this expense fixed or variable?
What to select
Fixed expenses are the same amount every month — rent, car payment, insurance premium. Variable expenses change month to month — groceries, gas, dining, utilities.
Why we ask
Fixed expenses are non-negotiable in your budget — they happen every month no matter what. Variable expenses are where most people have room to adjust. Your advisor can help identify where to cut if cash flow is tight.
Monthly amount
For variable expenses
Enter your average monthly amount based on the last 2–3 months. For groceries, check your bank or credit card statement to find your real average — most people underestimate this by 20–30%.
How it affects results
This feeds directly into your discretionary income calculation. Underestimating expenses makes your financial picture look better than it is — which leads to a payoff plan that doesn't hold up in real life.
$
Please enter a valid amount.
Frequency
Monthly equivalent
Enter amount above
$0.00
Total monthly expenses
$0
No expenses saved yet
Why accurate expenses matter
Your expenses determine how much discretionary income you have after bills. Every dollar you underestimate here is a dollar that disappears from your payoff plan. Take a few minutes to check your bank statement — most people are surprised by what they find.
Most underestimated categories
Food & dining, subscriptions (average person has 12+), and personal care are consistently underreported by 20–40%.