Current Cash Flow

Income minus expenses is your cash flow, the fuel for every goal. See yours.

Your numbers

$
$
$
$

Monthly cash flow

Surplus / deficit
,
Cash flow = income minus all spending. A positive number is money you can save or invest; the savings rate is that surplus as a share of income.
About this calculator

Current Cash Flow

A cash flow calculator shows your monthly surplus or deficit, income minus all spending, and your savings rate, the foundation for every financial goal.

Why cash flow is the starting point

Cash flow is the money left after spending, the fuel for saving, investing, and paying down debt. A positive number means you can build wealth; a negative one means you're going backward, often on credit. Knowing your cash flow, and your savings rate, is the single most useful number in personal finance.

Improving it

You improve cash flow by earning more or spending less, and the savings rate, your surplus as a share of income, is what actually drives how fast you reach goals. Even small, consistent surpluses compound over time. Tracking spending by category (our spending tracker helps) reveals where the money goes and where to trim.

How to use it

  1. Enter your monthly take-home income.
  2. Enter your housing and other essential costs.
  3. Enter discretionary spending.
  4. See your monthly cash flow and savings rate.

Frequently asked questions

What is cash flow?

Your income minus all spending. A positive figure is money you can save or invest; a negative one means you're spending more than you earn.

What is a good savings rate?

Many aim for 15-20% of income or more, but any positive, consistent rate builds wealth over time. Higher rates reach goals faster.

How do I improve my cash flow?

Earn more or spend less. Tracking spending by category reveals where to trim, and even small consistent surpluses compound.

See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.

Related calculators