Budgeting Tool

Track your spending and compare to UK averages.

Budgeting Tool

Calculate your monthly spending, compare to UK averages, and find where you could save money.

20 categories covered • Takes 5 minutes • Your data stays on your device

UK Budget Tracker

Track spending & compare to UK averages

Free UK Household Budget Planner

Calculate your monthly spending, compare to UK averages, and find where you could save money

Takes about 5 minutes. No signup required. Your data stays on your device.

£2,870 Average UK monthly spend
20 Spending categories
5 min To complete

Why Use a Budget Planner?

Understanding where your money goes is the first step to taking control of your finances. Our free budget calculator helps you:

  • Track all your spending across 20 categories from housing to holidays
  • Compare to UK averages using data from Nimblefins and ONS statistics
  • Identify overspending and get personalised tips to reduce costs
  • See your full financial picture with clear charts and breakdowns

What Does the Average UK Household Spend?

According to the latest data, the average UK household spends £2,870 per month (£662 per week). However, this varies significantly based on your housing situation:

Housing Situation Avg Monthly Spend
Owned outright (no mortgage) £2,475
Owned with mortgage £3,719
Private renting £3,570
Social renting £2,596

UK Spending by Category

Here's how the average UK household budget breaks down each month:

Housing£450 (16%)
Transport£390 (14%)
Food & Drink£326 (11%)
Utilities£218 (8%)
Restaurants & Hotels£208 (7%)
Holidays£175 (6%)
Recreation£172 (6%)
Household Goods£165 (6%)
Council Tax£156 (5%)
Communications£135 (5%)
Insurance£96 (3%)
Clothing£78 (3%)
Personal Care£69 (2%)
Money Transfers£61 (2%)
Alcohol & Tobacco£53 (2%)
Other£37 (1%)
Health£36 (1%)
Education£25 (1%)
Licences & Fines£19 (1%)

Ready to See Where Your Money Goes?

Our budget planner takes about 5 minutes to complete. Enter your income and expenses across each category, and we'll show you exactly how you compare to UK averages - plus tips on where you could cut back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this budget planner really free?

Yes, completely free. No signup, no email required, no hidden costs. We're Scrimpr - we help people save money, not spend it.

Is my financial data safe?

Your data never leaves your device. Everything is stored locally in your browser using localStorage. We don't send your financial information anywhere - we can't even see it.

Where does the UK average data come from?

We use data from Nimblefins, which compiles statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Family Spending survey.

Can I save my budget and come back later?

Yes! Your budget automatically saves to your browser. When you return to this page, your previous entries will still be there (unless you've cleared your browser data).

How accurate are the UK averages?

The averages are based on real spending data from thousands of UK households. However, averages can be skewed by high earners. Use them as a rough benchmark rather than a strict target.

What if I don't know my exact spending?

Estimates are fine! Check your bank statements or banking app for the last few months to get a realistic picture. You can always come back and update your figures.

Step 1 of 7

Let's Start With Your Situation

This helps us compare you to the right UK averages.

Your Monthly Income

Enter your take-home pay (after tax) and any other regular income.

£
£
£
£

Housing & Household Bills

Your home costs - the biggest expense for most households.

£
UK avg mortgage: £1,307 | Private rent: £1,174
£
UK average: £156/month
£
UK average: ~£180/month
£
UK average: ~£38/month
£
UK average: ~£30/month
£

Everyday Living Costs

Food, transport, phone bills - the essentials.

£
UK average: £326/month
£
UK average: £390/month (incl. car insurance, fuel, MOT, trains/buses)
£
UK average: £135/month
£
UK average: £78/month
£
UK average: £69/month
£
UK average: £36/month

Lifestyle & Leisure

The fun stuff - entertainment, eating out, hobbies.

£
UK average: £208/month
£
UK average: £172/month
£
UK average: £53/month
£
UK average: £175/month (package holidays + spending money)
£
UK average: £165/month

Financial Commitments & Other

Insurance, savings, loans, and anything else.

£
UK average: £65/month (excl. home insurance)
£
UK average: £61/month
£
Aim for at least 10-20% of income
£
UK average: £25/month (varies hugely)
£
UK average: £19/month (TV licence, road tax, etc.)
£
UK average: £37/month (miscellaneous)

Your Budget Results

Monthly Income £0
Monthly Expenses £0
Left Over £0
vs UK Average £0

Your Spending Breakdown

You vs UK Average

Where You Could Save

Opens in Excel, Google Sheets, or Numbers

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Quick Heads Up

I'm just one person running Scrimpr, not a big company or financial advisor.

I make these information and comparison pages because I genuinely enjoy researching financial products and helping UK households make informed decisions. But here's what you should know:

  • Not financial advice: I'm sharing information, not telling you what to do with your money
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  • Always check T&Cs: Offers change. Read the full terms on each platform before signing up

Thanks for supporting Scrimpr!

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How Scrimpr Works

Information, Not Advice

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