I Followed the 50/30/20 Rule for 90 Days - My Honest Review

Introduction: The 50/30/20 Rule Experiment

The 50/30/20 rule (50% needs, 30% wants, 20% savings) is popular. In 2025, I followed it for 90 days, tracked with Onu’s AI. This guide shares my honest review and results.

With Onu, budgeting rules are easy to test.

Honest Review of the Rule

Pros and cons:

• Pros: Simple, balanced.
• Cons: Rigid for variable income.
• Results: Saved $500/month.

Example: 30% wants allowed fun.

90-Day Results

Spend allocation:

Insight: $9,600 saved in 90 days.

Step-by-Step: 50/30/20 Rule

90-day plan to follow:

1. Calculate (Days 1–10): Income split. Example: $4,000 = $2,000 needs.
2. Track (Days 11–30): Onu categorizes. Example: $1,900 needs.
3. Adjust (Days 31–60): Tweak categories. Example: Reduce wants.
4. Save (Days 61–80): Auto-save 20%. Example: $800/month.
5. Review (Days 81–90): Assess. Example: Balanced life.

Real-Life Example: 50/30/20

My 90 days:

• Calculate: $5,000 income split.
• Track: Onu showed adherence.
• Adjust: Reduced wants 5%.
• Save: $1,000/month.
• Review: Honest: Simple but rigid.

Result: Saved $9,000, balanced budget.

Financial Impact of 50/30/20

Benefits:

• Balance: 30% wants for enjoyment.
• Savings: 20% builds wealth.

Example: $1,000/month saved compounds to $12,000/year.

Context: Budget Rules in 2025

Trends from Forbes:

• Popularity: 50/30/20 standard.
• AI: Tools like Onu customize.

Example: Flexible for variable income.

Final Thoughts

The 50/30/20 rule works with balance. Onu’s AI helps test it. Try it today.

Sources: NerdWallet (2024), Forbes (2025). This article is for informational purposes only and not financial, legal, or tax advice.