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A Budget That Works For You

MarginGuard is built on a simple idea: money should bring you peace, not pressure. That’s why it walks you through a clear step-by-step path, so you always know what to focus on next. At its core, MarginGuard is about margin—giving you breathing room in your budget today while setting you up for freedom tomorrow.

MarginGuard Budget

Begin by filling in your personal details and monthly income to see your starting point. Use the tool to review your Needs, plan for Wealth goals, and allocate for Wants, helping you make intentional choices and build a budget that works for your life. Track your progress and adjust as you go to stay on top of your finances with confidence.

MarginGuard Protection

info Turn Protection OFF to freely edit your entire budget. Turn Protection ON for guided budgeting with smart rules.

Household Income Type

info We use this to tailor your Emergency Fund goal based on whether you have a partner earning income with you.

Carryover Consumer Debt

info This is any debt you’re still paying off that’s NOT a mortgage—like credit cards, personal loans, or car loans.

Home Ownership

info Let us know if you own your home and have a mortgage. If not, we’ll assume you’re renting and adjust your budget accordingly.

Household Retirement Status

info If your household is retired, retirement contributions will be disabled and the 15% savings requirement will be waived automatically.

Income and Savings

Gross Monthly Income
info Total pay before taxes and deductions. Used to calculate your 15% retirement goal. If you only know annual, divide by 12.
Net Monthly Income
info Money that actually hits your bank after taxes and payroll deductions — this funds your monthly budget.
Current Cash Savings
info What you already have in easily accessible savings — used to check if your Emergency Fund is fully funded.

Needs

Housing
info Rent or mortgage. Aim to keep under 25% of take-home pay.
Groceries
info Home-cooked groceries. No dining out here.
Utilities
info Electricity, water, gas, trash, internet.
Transportation
info Gas, transit, essential rides.
Insurance
info Premiums you pay yourself (car, renters, life, etc.).
Healthcare
info Doctor visits, prescriptions, out-of-pocket.
Childcare/School
info Daycare, sitters, tuition, school fees.
Giving
info Tithing, charitable giving, family support.
Debt
info Minimum payments required to avoid fees/penalties.
Other Essentials
info Must-have costs that don’t fit elsewhere.
Total Needs

Wealth Building

Saving
info Emergency and short-term goals — accessible savings.
Retirement (Pre-Tax)
lock You need to meet these requirements first:
    info 401(k), 403(b), TSP, etc. via payroll. Excluded from your monthly budget here but counted toward your 15% retirement goal.
    Retirement (Post-Tax)
    lock You need to meet these requirements first:
      info Roth IRA or other after-paycheck contributions. This does use take-home dollars and affects your budget totals.
      Debt Payoff
      info Extra beyond minimums toward non-mortgage debt.
      Extra Mortgage
      lock You need to meet these requirements first:
        info Additional principal payments on your mortgage to pay it off faster and save interest.
        Total Wealth Building

        Wants lock

        Entertainment
        info Movies, games, hobbies.
        Dining Out
        info Restaurants, takeout, delivery.
        Travel
        info Weekend trips to big vacations.
        Other Wants
        info Extras that don’t fit above.
        Total Wants

        Remaining Margin: $0.00

        How MarginGuard Protects You

        Every good budget needs guardrails — not just numbers.
        MarginGuard automatically builds three layers of financial protection into your plan so you can focus on progress, not panic.

        As you test your numbers, these safeguards quietly adjust in the background to help you stay balanced — no matter your income, goals, or life stage.

        Emergency Fund Protection

        Life happens — layoffs, medical bills, or sudden car repairs. MarginGuard helps you calculate and prioritize an emergency fund, giving your budget a built-in safety net so a setback doesn’t turn into a crisis.

        Read more →

        Debt Protection

        High-interest debt can quietly drain your budget and limit progress. MarginGuard highlights how much debt is costing you and helps you stay focused on payoff, protecting your monthly margin and future financial freedom.

        Read more →

        Lifestyle Protection

        Wants often grow until they squeeze out savings and essentials. MarginGuard places clear boundaries around discretionary spending and flags when housing or other costs get excessive, controlling lifestyle creep.

        Read more →

        How To Use The Calculator

        See where your money goes.

        Start by entering your income and monthly expenses. Don’t worry if some numbers feel off—this is just a snapshot to help you understand your Needs, Wealth, and Wants. Think of it as your financial starting line.

        Give every dollar a purpose.

        If you have extra left over, decide how it should be used—grow your savings, invest, or pay down debt. Each intentional dollar brings you closer to your goals, even small steps count!

        Adjust and optimize.

        Notice areas that are too high or too low? Trim what you can in your Wants, or find ways to make your Needs more efficient. Every tweak helps your money work smarter, not harder.

        Create your first actionable budget.

        Once you’ve filled in Needs, Wealth, and Wants, review the full picture. This is your first working budget—save it, track it, and refine it month by month. Your money finally has a plan that works for you!

        Feeling stuck in your current budget?

        Book a coaching session to get expert guidance on your MarginGuard results, uncover hidden savings, and build a plan that actually fits your priorities and goals.

        Book Now

        This calculator is for educational purposes only. It’s not financial advice. Results are estimates and may vary based on real-world factors. Consult a qualified advisor before making investment or retirement decisions.