Irregular income planner
Gig work, tips, and changing hours make IncomeMoney that comes in to you, like a paycheck, tips, or payments for gig work.More in the glossary hard to plan around. One way to handle it: build your BudgetA plan for where your money will go, so you know what you can spend before you spend it.More in the glossary on your lowest recent month, the amount you can count on.
In better months, put the extra in a buffer: money set aside to top up the slow months. Enter what you took home each month to see your plan.
Your results
- Budget on (your lowest month)
- $1,500
- Average month
- $1,883.33
- Extra for your buffer
- $2,300
Your lowest month covers your must-pay bills, with $100 left for everything else.
| Month | Came in | Budget | To buffer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | $1,650 | $1,500 | $150 |
| Month 2 | $2,100 | $1,500 | $600 |
| Month 3 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $0 |
| Month 4 | $1,900 | $1,500 | $400 |
| Month 5 | $2,400 | $1,500 | $900 |
| Month 6 | $1,750 | $1,500 | $250 |
| Total to buffer | $2,300 | ||
What this means
- Plan your BudgetA plan for where your money will go, so you know what you can spend before you spend it.More in the glossary around $1,500 a month, your lowest month. Then a slow month won't catch you off guard.
- Over these months, you took home $2,300 more than that. Kept in a separate Savings accountA bank or credit union account for money you want to keep, not spend. It usually pays a little interest.More in the glossary, that money could carry you through slow months.
- When a month comes in under $1,500, move the difference from your buffer to your checking account. It's like paying yourself a steady paycheck.
- A good first goal: a buffer of one month at your baseline ($1,500). After that, keep building your Emergency fundMoney set aside only for surprises, like a car repair or a medical bill, so you don't have to borrow.More in the glossary.
Paid as an independent contractor (a 1099)? Taxes usually aren't taken out of your pay, so set some of each payment aside before you budget. Figure out how much to set aside.
Where to get free help
- Nonprofit credit counseling (NFCC)
A certified credit counselor can go over your budget and debts with you, for free or at low cost.
- 211
Call or text 2-1-1 for free, private help finding local programs for rent, utilities, food, and other bills.