Split every dollar of take-home pay three ways. Half keeps the household running, nearly a third is protected for time together, and a fifth builds your family's future.
Classic 50/30/20 calls the 30% "wants". This version gives it one job: spending that brings the family together. Solo shopping and gadgets come out of it last.
Because what families remember, and what research links to happier and healthier kids, is time spent together. If it isn't in the budget, it's the first thing to go.
Across 17 studies and about 182,800 children, those who ate family meals 3 or more times a week were more likely to be a healthy weight and eat well, and less likely to have disordered eating.
Hammons & Fiese, Pediatrics, 2011 [1]A review of 14 papers linked frequent family meals with less substance use, violence and depression, and with higher self-esteem and better school results.
Harrison et al., Canadian Family Physician, 2015 [2]People reported that experiences made them happier than possessions did, even at the same price. In a national survey, 57% named an experience as their happiest purchase; 34% named an object.
Van Boven & Gilovich, JPSP, 2003 [3]The happiness boost from experiences came from sharing them. Experiences done alone were valued no more than possessions.
Caprariello & Reis, JPSP, 2013 [4]Waiting for an experience brought more happiness than waiting for a thing. Planning the trip together counts.
Kumar, Killingsworth & Gilovich, Psychological Science, 2014 [5]Everyday shared time at home (meals, games, backyard play) is linked to family closeness. Less frequent new experiences (outings, holidays) are linked to coping well with change.
Zabriskie & McCormick, Family Relations, 2001 [6]After more than 85 years of following people's lives, the Harvard Study of Adult Development's main lesson is "Good relationships keep us happier and healthier."
Harvard Gazette, 2025 [7]In surveys of over 6,000 people, those who paid to save time on chores reported higher life satisfaction, whatever their income. Freed-up time can go to family.
Whillans et al., PNAS, 2017 [8]Most of this research shows links, not proof of cause, and the benefit comes from attention, not from spending more. Free and cheap options count fully. The 30% guarantees the time and the plans happen. It isn't a target to spend. Whatever is left over at the end of the month goes into next year's holiday fund.
Starts at $100,000. Type your own income to replace it.
Fortnight = year ÷ 26. Week = year ÷ 52. Set up automatic transfers on payday into three separate accounts.
Every family is different. Sydney rent might need more than 50%, or you might want to invest more. Move the sliders. The planner won't let a change break a rule.
Real prices for all eight capital cities, researched in October 2026. Tell us about your family, then pick a ready-made plan or choose your own. The planner keeps count.