Where Is My Money Going? Examples
These examples show how recurring costs change your financial picture and how “burden” changes based on income.
Want to run your real numbers? Go back to the calculator: Where Is My Money Going?
What these examples assume
- Recurring costs include subscriptions and small repeating charges (streaming, apps, memberships, small services).
- Rent/mortgage are core housing expenses and are not included as “recurring leaks.”
- Results compare your monthly recurring total against your monthly income to estimate burden.
- The Excel version adds more control (weekly/bi-weekly/monthly/annual frequencies, necessity tags (which demonstrates the estimated reduction if you cut them), and a reusable list you can update over time).
Example 1 — Light burden (easy to ignore, but real)
Inputs
Monthly income: $4,000
Recurring costs (subscriptions + small recurring charges): $120
Result
This is a light burden. It’s not dangerous — but it’s still a permanent drain that quietly reduces flexibility every month.
Why it matters
Light recurring costs often feel harmless because each item is small. The tool forces the total into view.
Example 2 — Noticeable burden (starts to shape behavior)
Inputs
Monthly income: $3,500
Recurring costs: $280
Result
This becomes noticeable. It’s the point where recurring costs start shaping choices (less room for savings, debt payments, or random expenses).
Why it matters
At “noticeable,” cutting just a few items often creates relief fast.
Example 3 — Heavy burden (structural drag)
Inputs
Monthly income: $2,800
Recurring costs: $420
Result
This is heavy. Recurring costs are now a structural drag — they reduce financial breathing room even before you make any daily spending decisions.
Why it matters
When recurring costs are heavy, “budgeting harder” often doesn’t work. You usually need fewer charges, not just more discipline.
Example 4 — Same recurring costs, different income = different burden
Inputs (A)
Monthly income: $5,000
Recurring costs: $250
Inputs (B)
Monthly income: $2,500
Recurring costs: $250
Result
The dollar amount is the same, but the burden is completely different because income changes the impact.
Why it matters
This prevents the common mistake: judging subscriptions by price alone instead of by percentage of income.
Example 5 — “Unnecessary” cuts can change the whole outcome (Excel)
Inputs
Monthly income: $3,200
Recurring costs: $320
Unnecessary portion: $90 (items you tag as Unnecessary)
Result
The burden may be noticeable at $320/month, but cutting unnecessary items reduces it materially.
Why it matters
This is the Excel advantage: it doesn’t just label burden — it shows what changes if you cut what you already marked as unnecessary.
Ready to run your real numbers?
Go back to the calculator: Where Is My Money Going?