Zero-Based Budget Calculator

Disclaimer: This calculator, built using AI tools, is for educational and illustrative purposes only and is not intended as financial, investment, or tax advice. Results are estimates only and do not guarantee future outcomes. Amber Otting operates as a Dave Ramsey Preferred Coach — a financial coaching role — not as a registered investment advisor. For budgeting and financial coaching advice: Schedule a free consultation. For personalized investment or tax guidance, please contact Blueprint Investments and Tax Planning. Full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.

Zero-Based Budget Calculator — Otting Financial Coaching

Zero-Based Budget Calculator — Dave Ramsey’s method: give every dollar a job so that Income − Expenses = $0. Enter your monthly take-home pay (after taxes and payroll deductions) and fill in each category. The running total above updates live.

💡 Take-home vs. gross: Use your net (after-tax) pay here. Gross income matters for the 15% retirement calculation — we’ll note this in the Investing section.

📥 Monthly Income
💰 Take-Home Pay (after taxes & deductions)
Your monthly net paycheck after all taxes & deductions
Total Monthly Take-Home Pay $0
Note for the Investing section: Dave’s 15% retirement rule is based on gross household income (before taxes). If your gross is significantly higher than your take-home, use a separate calculation for Baby Step 4. You can enter your gross income in the investing section below.
🙏 Giving
❤️ Giving — Dave puts this first, before any other expense
Dave recommends 10% of gross income
🏠 The Four Walls — Protect These First
🏠 Wall 1: Shelter (Housing)
Annual ÷ 12
Monthly premium
Total Housing $0 (0% of take-home)
🍽️ Wall 2: Food
In BS 1–3: cut this aggressively
💡 Wall 3: Utilities
🚗 Wall 4: Transportation
Goal: pay off and stay payment-free
🛍️ Other Monthly Expenses
👤 Personal & Lifestyle
Audit these — cut anything unused
🎁 Gifts & Entertainment
Tip: use a sinking fund for holidays below
🏥 Health & Insurance
Dave recommends term life only
❄️ Debt Payments (Baby Step 2 Snowball)
⛄ Non-Mortgage Debt — List smallest to largest for the debt snowball
Total Debt Payments $0
🏦 Savings & Sinking Funds
🛡️ Emergency Fund (Baby Steps 1 & 3)
Goal: $1,000 — get there fast!
Goal: 3–6 months of expenses (after all debt is paid)
🎯 Sinking Funds — Save monthly for irregular expenses

Check the ones you need. Set a monthly amount — no more scrambling when these bills arrive!

Custom sinking funds

📈 Investing (Baby Step 4)
📈 Retirement Investing — Baby Step 4: 15% of gross household income
⚠️ Baby Step Order Matters! Dave’s plan: fully fund BS1 ($1,000 EF) → pay off all non-mortgage debt (BS2) → fully fund 3–6 month emergency fund (BS3) → then invest 15% for retirement (BS4). Check the box below only if you have completed BS1–3.

Used only to calculate your 15% retirement goal — not added to your budget total
Your 15% Retirement Target
Enter gross income →
per month
Start here. This is free money — never leave it on the table.
Roth IRA → back to 401k to reach 15% of gross
Total investing in budget $0
🎓 Baby Step 5: College Savings (after BS4 is started)
Only after investing 15% for retirement (BS4)

Budget breakdown by category

Want personalized help building a budget that works for your Baby Step? Amber is a Ramsey Preferred Coach who can walk through your numbers with you.

📅 Schedule Free Consultation View Coaching Page

Ready to build your personalized emergency fund with the help of a coach?

The calculator shows you the numbers. But now let’s stick to the budget.

A coach helps you build the plan, stay accountable, and celebrate every milestone along the way. As a Dave Ramsey Preferred Coach, I work with people just like you — whether you’re just starting Baby Step 1, you’re deep in Baby Step 2, or stuck in Baby Step 3 and need a strategy to finish strong.

Schedule a free 30-minute Financial Coaching consultation.

Disclaimer: The calculators provided on this website are for educational and illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice, and should not be relied upon as the basis for any financial decision. Results are estimates based on user-entered assumptions and hypothetical scenarios — they do not reflect actual investment performance, predict future results, or guarantee any specific outcome.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. These tools do not account for all variables that may affect your financial situation, including but not limited to inflation, taxes, fees, changes in income, or market volatility.

These calculators were built using AI-assisted tools for educational purposes only. They have not been reviewed or approved by FINRA, the SEC, or any regulatory body. Amber Otting operates as a Dave Ramsey Preferred Coach — a financial coaching role — and not as a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or licensed tax professional.

For personalized financial planning, investment advice, or tax guidance, please consult a qualified financial professional. Resources available to you:

Blueprint Investments and Tax Planning — Licensed investment advisory services Schedule a free coaching consultation — Financial coaching with Amber Otting Dave Ramsey RPC Coaching Page