03/08/2026
"The 50/30/20 rule sounds fancy. It's actually stupidly simple."
Whatever money comes in such as allowance, hustle income, salary, split it three ways.
50% → Needs (feeding, transport, data, essentials)
30% → Wants (things that make life enjoyable, guilt-free)
20% → Savings or future goals.
Most people skip the last part entirely. They spend on needs, spend on wants, and save "whatever is left" which is usually nothing.
Flip the order.
The moment money enters your hand, move the 20% away first, even if it's a small amount.
Then live on the rest.
I'm not saying this is easy on a student budget.
It's not, I can't relate to it.
But even doing 10% consistently builds a habit that becomes 20% later.
This isn't about being perfect with money.
It's about being intentional with it.
"Be honest — do you save first or spend first?"
