r/budget•
The-Jelly-Fox

How much "fun money" do you spend each payday?

I do forced savings, so each payday I pay bills, contribute to my savings accounts, and then spend what's left in my bank account. I don't separate what's left into any categories, but what's left after fixed bills and savings covers everything, including groceries and household, restaurants, coffee, clothing, and entertainment. I try my best to just spend what's in my account and not put anything on credit card.

I earn about $50K/year. The what's left fund is generally about $400 every two weeks. This works out to about a 1/3 of my income. I have been doing this method for years, and my what's left fund has doubled. Back in the day in the 2010s, I remember $200/payday being plenty to get me through. Realistically food (groceries, restaurants, and coffee) take about half of this each payday, although I do rein it in if I have a larger expense in another area.

Just wondering how other people organize their disposable income and what they think is reasonable.

Posted Mar 6, 2026, 5:31 PM UTC

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