Safe-to-Spend Today Examples
These examples show how Safe-to-Spend Today changes based on your month plan.
Want to run your own numbers? Go back to the calculator: Safe-to-Spend Today.
What these examples assume
- Examples below assume 15 days left in the month. The web calculator automatically uses the real days left today, so your result may be different.
- The tool spreads your remaining “discretionary room” across the days left in the month.
- The buffer reduces your discretionary room to leave space for surprises.
- Your “safe-to-spend” is a today number — it changes as the month changes.
- The Excel version adds more control (including tracking and a clearer view of your average daily remaining), so you can reuse the tool month after month.
Example 1 — Tight but doable
Inputs
Cash on hand now: $1,200
Expected income remaining: $1,800
Must-pay bills: $2,200
Savings / planned transfers: $200
Irregular expenses: $100
Safety buffer: 10%
Days left in month: 15
Result (what this means)
You have limited room after bills and transfers. With a buffer, your daily safe-to-spend becomes a “tight” daily number, not a comfortable one.
Why it matters
This is the exact situation where people overspend in small amounts and feel confused later. STS forces the daily limit into view.
Example 2 — Comfortable daily room
Inputs
Cash on hand now: $2,500
Expected income remaining: $2,000
Must-pay bills: $2,500
Savings / planned transfers: $300
Irregular expenses: $200
Safety buffer: 10%
Days left in month: 15
Result
After bills, savings, and irregular costs, there is still meaningful discretionary room. Your daily safe-to-spend should fall into the comfortable zone.
Why it matters
People often feel broke even when they’re fine — this helps you spend without guilt when the plan supports it
Example 3 — No room today
Inputs
Cash on hand now: $600
Expected income remaining: $900
Must-pay bills: $1,700
Savings / planned transfers: $0
Irregular expenses: $100
Safety buffer: 10%
Days left in month: 15
Result
Your plan is already over budget, so the safe-to-spend becomes $0.
Why it matters
A $0 result isn’t an insult — it’s a warning that your plan needs adjustment (spending cuts, bill timing, or added income).
Example 4 — Same plan, different day
Inputs
Same numbers, different days left
Result
If you have fewer days left, the daily safe-to-spend can go up even when nothing else changes. If you have more days left, the daily amount goes down.
Why it matters
This is why STS is a “today number.” The daily amount naturally changes as time passes.
Example 5 — Irregular expenses change everything
Inputs
Same plan, but you add an irregular expense like $300 (repair, appointment, annual fee)
Result
Your safe-to-spend can drop sharply even though your bills didn’t change.
Why it matters
Forgetting irregular costs is the most common reason people “feel” the tool is wrong. If you know it’s coming, enter it.
Ready to run your real numbers?
Go back to the calculator: Safe-to-Spend Today.