The 50/30/20 rule, adjusted for UK rent and energy prices
The classic budgeting split doesn't hold up well when rent alone can eat 40% of take-home pay. Here's a version built for 2026 UK living costs.
Read the guideBuilt for UK households
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From the blog
Start with what matters most right now
Practical reads, updated for the current UK cost of living — no fluff, no filler.
Cash ISA vs easy-access savings: which suits you?
How the Personal Savings Allowance changes the maths, in plain English.
Read the guideSnowball or avalanche? Clearing credit card debt faster
Two proven repayment orders compared, with a worked example on a £4,200 balance.
Read the guideStocks and Shares ISA: a first-timer's checklist
What to check before you invest a single pound, from fees to fund choice.
Read the guideFind your bearing
The four pillars of a steady financial plan
Everything on CashCompass sits under one of these headings. Hover a point on the compass, or jump straight to a topic.
Free tools
Run the numbers before you decide
Three calculators, all worked out instantly in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
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These figures are estimates for general planning only, assume a steady rate of return and don't account for tax, fees or inflation. They are not financial advice.
Reader stories
Real changes, made one budget at a time
Using the debt snowball guide, I cleared £3,100 of credit card debt in eleven months. Seeing the plan laid out with real numbers made it feel achievable instead of overwhelming.
I'd put off opening a Stocks and Shares ISA for years because it felt intimidating. The investing basics section explained fund fees and risk in a way that finally made sense.
The budget calculator showed me I was spending 34% of my income on subscriptions and takeaways combined. That one number changed how I spend every month since.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
No. CashCompass provides general information and education only. For advice specific to your circumstances, speak to a financial adviser registered with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), or use MoneyHelper's free, government-backed service.
Yes. Every guide, article and calculator on CashCompass is free to use, with no account or sign-up required to read our content.
Most UK guidance suggests three to six months of essential outgoings — rent or mortgage, bills, groceries and minimum debt payments — held somewhere easy to access, such as an instant-access savings account.
Our calculators give general projections for planning purposes and don't model your individual tax position, such as the Personal Savings Allowance or ISA annual limits. Always check current HMRC and FCA guidance, or speak to an adviser, before making decisions.
Start with our Debt Management guide for a step-by-step plan. If your debts feel unmanageable, free, confidential support is available from StepChange, National Debtline and MoneyHelper — you don't have to work through it alone.
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