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RupeeFrame

Is there a rule of thumb for that?

The money rules. In plain words.

  • 20 rules of thumb, each sourced
  • Each one worked in rupees
  • The base of RupeeFrame's decision engine

Spend and save

How the month is split, and saved first

50/30/20Measured on your numbers

The 50/30/20 budget

Split take-home into 50% needs, 30% wants and 20% savings.

₹1 lakh take-home50 · 30 · 20
  • Needs₹50K
  • Wants₹30K
  • Savings₹20K
  • Needs: rent, groceries, bills, school fees and every EMI
  • Wants: eating out, shopping, trips, OTT
  • Savings: SIPs, PPF, emergency fund, extra loan payments
In rupees
₹1 lakh in hand: ₹50K needs, ₹30K wants, ₹20K saved.
In India
Home-loan EMIs push needs past 50% in many Indian homes. RupeeFrame counts EMIs as needs and flags it, and never lets saving drop below your floor.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 1The month must add up₹6K left · 14% saved(Watch)
  • Rule 12Needs, wants and savings in balanceNeeds 77% · wants 8% · saved 14%(Watch)
Pay firstMeasured on your numbers

Pay yourself first

Save on payday, then spend what's left. Not the other way round.

  1. 1Salary lands₹1,00,000
  2. 2Invest first₹20,000 SIP, auto-debit
  3. 3Pay the billsRent, EMIs, groceries
  4. 4Spend the restGuilt-free
  • Set SIPs and RDs to go out the day salary lands
  • Treat saving like rent: a bill you never skip
  • Automating it removes the monthly temptation
In rupees
Salary of ₹1 lakh on the 1st, ₹20K SIP on the 2nd, live on ₹80K.
In India
Auto-debit SIPs and e-mandates make this easy. RupeeFrame counts only money set to go out each month, not what happens to be left at month-end.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 13Invest first, on payday₹20K a month set aside · 11%(Watch)
24 hoursGuides the engine

The 24-hour rule

Wait a day before any non-essential buy.

  1. 1Want itAdd to cart
  2. 2Wait 24 hoursClose the app
  3. 3Still want it?Then buy it
  • Use it for anything over ₹1,000 that isn't a need
  • For big buys, wait 30 days instead
  • Turn off sale alerts: fewer urges to wait out
In rupees
Skipping two ₹3,000 impulse buys a month keeps ₹72K a year.
In India
Sale days and one-tap UPI make impulse buys easy. RupeeFrame brings this rule up when your wants run past their line.
Sources

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 12Needs, wants and savings in balanceNeeds 77% · wants 8% · saved 14%(Watch)
50% of raisesMeasured on your numbers

Save half of every raise

When pay goes up, save at least half the increase before lifestyle catches up.

A ₹10K raiseHalf saved
  • Saved₹5K
  • Enjoyed₹5K
  • Raise the SIP the month the hike lands
  • Enjoy the other half, guilt-free
  • Spending grows slower than pay, so your saving rate climbs
In rupees
A ₹10K raise: ₹5K more into the SIP, ₹5K to enjoy.
In India
Appraisal hikes of 8–12% are common. RupeeFrame works out half of your expected raise, and Plan ahead's Pay rise uses the same split.
Sources

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 17Save half of every raiseNext raise ≈ ₹14.4K a month · save ₹7.2K(Watch)

Safety net

Cash and cover for a bad day

3–6 monthsMeasured on your numbers

The emergency fund

Keep 3 to 6 months of essential spending in cash you can reach in a day.

CoveredStill to save
  • Count essentials and EMIs, not lifestyle
  • Keep it in savings, sweep FDs or liquid funds
  • A job loss or hospital bill then never becomes debt
In rupees
Essentials and EMIs of ₹60K a month: ₹1.8 to ₹3.6 lakh set aside.
In India
RupeeFrame sizes it to your life: 3 months for a government job, 6 for a private salary, 9 for business income, more with dependants or no health cover, up to 12.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 4Months of essentials in cash5.8 of 8 months(Watch)
1-year runwayMeasured on your numbers

The 1-year runway

Before leaving a job to start up or switch careers, save a full year of basic expenses.

Covered
  • Twelve months of essentials and EMIs
  • Kept apart from retirement money
  • Gives the new path time, without selling investments
In rupees
Essentials of ₹50K a month: ₹6 lakh saved before you resign.
In India
For freelance or business income, RupeeFrame already plans a bigger fund, up to 12 months: the runway, every month.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 4Months of essentials in cash5.8 of 8 months(Watch)
10× coverMeasured on your numbers

10× life cover

Term cover of at least 10 times your yearly income, plus your loans.

Cover to hold₹2.5 Cr
  • 10 × ₹20 L income₹2 Cr
  • Home loan₹50 L
  • Pure term insurance only: cheap and large
  • Add what's left on loans, like the home loan
  • Needed once someone depends on your income
In rupees
₹20 lakh a year and a ₹50 lakh home loan: ₹2.5 crore of cover.
In India
Endowment and ULIP policies rarely give enough cover. RupeeFrame sizes term cover from your family's real spending and loans, with the 10× check beside it.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 5Term cover when someone relies on you₹1 Cr short(Watch)
Own health coverMeasured on your numbers

Health cover of your own

Hold a family health policy of your own, sized for your city and family, apart from your employer's.

  • You alone₹10 L

    Metro

  • With a spouse₹15 L

    +50%

  • Spouse and a child₹20 L

    +25%, rounded up

  • Employer cover ends with the job, often when you need it most
  • Buy young: waiting periods run out and cover is easier to get
  • One family floater covers everyone from one shared amount
In rupees
A metro couple with one child: ₹10 lakh, plus 50% for a spouse and 25% a child, rounded up to ₹20 lakh.
In India
IRDAI lets you move from a group policy to your own when you leave a job, but buying early is simpler. RupeeFrame sizes cover at ₹10 lakh in a metro or ₹5 lakh elsewhere, and doesn't count your employer's.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 3Health cover of your own₹15 L short of ₹20 L(Watch)

Borrow

Which loan goes first, and how much a salary carries

AvalancheMeasured on your numbers

Debt avalanche or snowball

Pay the minimum on every loan, then put every extra rupee into one: the costliest (avalanche) or the smallest (snowball).

  • 1st · Credit card42%
  • 2nd · Personal loan14%
  • 3rd · Car loan9.5%
  • Avalanche saves the most interest
  • Snowball gives quick wins for motivation
  • Never miss a minimum on the others
In rupees
Card at 42%, personal loan at 14%, car at 9.5%: avalanche clears the card first.
In India
Credit-card dues at 36–42% a year are the costliest debt in India. RupeeFrame uses avalanche: costliest first, a red flag from 12%.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 2Clear costly debt first₹50K at 42%(Fix)
  • Rule 7Compare prepaying with investingCar loan at 9.5%(OK)
28/36Measured on your numbers

The 28/36 housing rule

Housing under 28% of gross income; all EMIs together under 36%.

₹2 lakh gross a month36% at most on EMIs
  • Housing28%
  • Other EMIs8%
  • Everything else64%
  • Housing: home-loan EMI or rent
  • All debt: housing plus car, personal, education and card
  • Gross means before tax: CTC ÷ 12
In rupees
CTC of ₹24 lakh (₹2 lakh a month): housing up to ₹56K, all EMIs up to ₹72K.
In India
Indian banks judge take-home instead (FOIR, often 40–50%). RupeeFrame checks both: 28/36 on gross pay, and 30/45 on take-home.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 6EMIs within your limit48%(Fix)
  • Rule 14Housing within 28%, all EMIs within 36%Housing 24% · all EMIs 33% of gross(OK)
20/4/10Measured on your numbers

The 20/4/10 car rule

20% down, a loan of 4 years at most, and car costs under 10% of income.

down payment
20%
down payment
loan at most
4 yrs
loan at most
of income on the car
10%
of income on the car
  • 20% down: you never owe more than the car is worth
  • 4 years: less interest, paid off before the next car
  • 10%: EMI, fuel, insurance and service together
In rupees
₹1.5 lakh a month in hand: car costs up to ₹15K a month.
In India
RupeeFrame applies the 10% to take-home, stricter than gross, since that's what pays the EMI. Plan ahead's Buy a car checks all three.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 15A car the salary carries8% of take-home · 4 yrs 11 mo left(Watch)

Grow

How money compounds, and how much risk to hold

Rule of 72Guides the engine

The Rule of 72

72 ÷ yearly return = years for your money to double.

  • Savings account20.6 yrs

    3.5% a year

  • Fixed deposit10.3 yrs

    7% a year

  • Equity funds6.5 yrs

    11% a year, not guaranteed

  • Works for any return
  • Shows why a few % matter over decades
  • Works for inflation too: at 6%, prices double in 12 years
In rupees
At 12%, ₹1 lakh becomes ₹2 lakh in 6 years; at 6% it takes 12.
In India
RupeeFrame uses it to show what cash idling in a savings account loses against deposits and investing.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 8Cash above the safety net can work harderNone(OK)
100 − ageMeasured on your numbers

100 minus your age

Hold roughly (100 − your age)% in equity; the rest in safer debt.

Age 2575% equity
  • Equity75%
  • Debt25%
Age 4060% equity
  • Equity60%
  • Debt40%
Age 5545% equity
  • Equity45%
  • Debt55%
  • Young: more equity, more years to recover from a fall
  • Older: shift towards FDs, PPF and debt funds
  • Many now use 110 or 120 minus age for longer lives
In rupees
At 30: 70% equity. At 50: 50%.
In India
RupeeFrame starts at 100 − age, moves it 10 points with your risk level, keeps about 10% in gold, and flags a mix more than 10 points off.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 10Mix near your targetDebt & cash 65%, target 24%(Watch)
1% capMeasured on your numbers

The 1% bet rule

No single risky bet above 1% of your net worth.

One bet1%Everything else99%Each coin is 1% of net worth
  • Crypto, a tip stock, F&O, collectibles
  • If it goes to zero, your plan doesn't notice
  • Diversified funds don't count: this is for single bets
In rupees
Net worth of ₹50 lakh: no single bet above ₹50K.
In India
Add each bet as a High-risk bets row in My numbers. RupeeFrame assumes no return on them and flags any above the line.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 19Small bets stay smallNo high-risk bets(OK)
Match, then maxGuides the engine

Match, then max

Take free employer money first, then clear costly debt, then fill tax-saving accounts.

  1. 1MatchEmployer PF and NPS
  2. 2ClearLoans at 12%+
  3. 3MaxPPF, NPS, ELSS
  4. 4InvestPlain SIPs
  • Free money first: employer PF and NPS
  • Then clear any loan above 12%
  • Then fill PPF, NPS and ELSS before plain investing
In rupees
₹50K more into NPS under 80CCD(1B) saves up to ₹15.6K of tax at 30% (old regime).
In India
India's version of the employer match is EPF and employer NPS. RupeeFrame works in the same order: costly debt (R2) comes before every growth rule.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 2Clear costly debt first₹50K at 42%(Fix)
  • Rule 16A floor for retirement saving₹23.6K a month · 9% of gross, floor 15%(Watch)
Property lineMeasured on your numbers

Keep property in proportion

Keep what you own in property under a set share of net worth, so most of your wealth can be reached.

Within the line55% in property
  • Property55%
  • Everything else45%
Over the line80% in property
  • Property80%
  • Everything else20%
  • Count what you own: value less home loans
  • A flat can't be sold a slice at a time, and selling takes months
  • Your own home counts too: it can't pay a hospital bill
In rupees
Net worth of ₹1 crore with ₹80 lakh in a flat: 80% in property, over a 60% line.
In India
RBI found 84% of the average Indian household's wealth sits in property and other physical assets. RupeeFrame flags property above your line: 60% at medium risk, 50% low, 70% high.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 11Property within your line52% of net worth(OK)

Retire

How big the pot, and how fast to draw it

10% floorMeasured on your numbers

10% for tomorrow

Put at least 10% of gross pay towards retirement from your first job; more if you start late.

  • Start in your 20s10%
  • Start in your 30s15%
  • Start in your 40s20%
  • EPF, PPF, NPS and equity SIPs all count
  • Measured on gross pay, before tax
  • Your employer's PF share counts too
In rupees
CTC of ₹12 lakh (₹1 lakh a month): ₹10K a month towards retirement.
In India
EPF covers part of it on its own. RupeeFrame counts EPF at its legal minimum (₹3,600 a month) unless you enter more, plus PPF, NPS and equity SIPs.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 16A floor for retirement saving₹23.6K a month · 9% of gross, floor 15%(Watch)
25×Measured on your numbers

The 25× number

Your retirement target is 25 times a year's spending.

  • A year's spending × 25 = the pot you need
  • It's the 4% rule turned around
  • Spend less in retirement and the number falls
In rupees
₹6 lakh a year: ₹1.5 crore.
In India
With Indian inflation of 6% or more, 25× runs thin for an early retirement; many planners use 30–33×. RupeeFrame projects your own spending to 85 instead, and shows 25× beside it.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 9On course for retirement₹10.98 Cr of ₹7.74 Cr · 142%(OK)
4%Measured on your numbers

The 4% rule

Draw 4% of your pot in year one, then raise it by inflation every year.

  • Year 1₹6 L
  • Year 2₹6.36 L
  • Year 3₹6.74 L
  • Year 4₹7.15 L
  • Year 5₹7.57 L
  • Built to last about 30 years
  • Assumes a mix of shares and bonds
  • Year two on: last year's amount plus inflation
In rupees
₹1.5 crore: ₹6 lakh in year one, ₹6.36 lakh in year two at 6% inflation.
In India
Higher inflation makes 3–3.5% safer in India. RupeeFrame runs your withdrawals year by year in three return cases instead of one rate.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 9On course for retirement₹10.98 Cr of ₹7.74 Cr · 142%(OK)
Age × income ÷ 10Measured on your numbers

Net worth for your age

Expected net worth = your age × yearly income ÷ 10.

  • From The Millionaire Next Door (Stanley & Danko)
  • Twice that: a strong saver
  • Under half: time to save more
In rupees
Age 35 on ₹20 lakh a year: ₹70 lakh.
In India
RupeeFrame uses your CTC as yearly income, and counts everything you own less everything you owe.

In RupeeFrameOn the sample family

  • Rule 18Net worth for your age₹50 L of ₹1.09 Cr · 46%(Watch)

The decision engine

Rules, not guesses

  1. 1

    Your numbers

    What you earn, spend, own and owe. Kept in this browser.

  2. 2

    20 rules of thumb

    The rules below, each sourced, adapted to Indian pay, loans and tax.

  3. 3

    19 checks

    Applied in order, R1 to R19. Safety first (R1–R6).

  4. 4

    Your decisions

    Each one cites its rule and shows the options. You choose.

  • Same numbers in, same answer out. No AI guesses, no randomness.
  • Every flag names its rule (R4) and the world rule behind it.
  • Safety rules hold at every risk level.
  • Every line can be seen in My Money's Rules & score, and changed with Expert mode on.

How does RupeeFrame decide?

RupeeFrame's 19 checks, and what each rests on

The order is the priority. Shown at default lines; yours can differ.

  1. Rule 1

    The month must add up

    Spending, EMIs and investing should fit inside take-home, saving at least 20% of it. A short month is fixed before anything else.

    Cash flow · Safety rule

    Based on50/30/20: The 50/30/20 budget
  2. Rule 2

    Clear costly debt first

    Loans at 12% or more cost more than most investments earn. Clear the costliest first: paying them off is a guaranteed return.

    Debt · Safety rule

    Based onAvalanche: Debt avalanche or snowballMatch, then max: Match, then max
  3. Rule 3

    Health cover of your own

    Cover sized for your family and city, separate from your employer's, so it stays when you change jobs.

    Protection · Safety rule

    Based onOwn health cover: Health cover of your own
  4. Rule 4

    Months of essentials in cash

    Keep 3 to 12 months of essentials and EMIs in cash or deposits, more for a single or variable income (up to a year's runway).

    Safety net · Safety rule

    Based on3–6 months: The emergency fund1-year runway: The 1-year runway
  5. Rule 5

    Term cover when someone relies on you

    Enough to clear every loan and replace your income for the people who depend on it. The quick check: 10× yearly pay plus loans.

    Protection · Safety rule

    Based on10× cover: 10× life cover
  6. Rule 6

    EMIs within your limit

    All EMIs together should stay under 30% of take-home; past 45%, most lenders say no.

    Debt · Safety rule

    Based on28/36: The 28/36 housing rule
  7. Rule 7

    Compare prepaying with investing

    With spare cash and a loan at 9%+, compare prepaying (a guaranteed saving) with investing at 8, 10 and 12%. You choose.

    Debt · Growth rule

    Based onAvalanche: Debt avalanche or snowball
  8. Rule 8

    Cash above the safety net can work harder

    Cash beyond the emergency fund (over ₹1 L) earns a savings rate and takes 21 years to double (Rule of 72). Compare deposits and investing for it.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based onRule of 72: The Rule of 72
  9. Rule 9

    On course for retirement

    Readiness = savings projected at your retirement age ÷ savings needed then to fund your spending, rising with inflation, to 85. Equity and EPF, PPF and NPS count. Judged in the base case (11% while working, 7% after); 100% or more is on course. 25× a year's spending, drawn at 4%, is the quick check beside it.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based on25×: The 25× number4%: The 4% rule
  10. Rule 10

    Mix near your target

    Equity about 100 minus your age, 10% gold, the rest in debt and cash. Rebalance once a part is more than 10 points off.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based on100 − age: 100 minus your age
  11. Rule 11

    Property within your line

    What you own of your property (its value less home loans) should stay under 60% of net worth: it's slow to sell and can't be sold a slice at a time. Rent counts as income.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based onProperty line: Keep property in proportion
  12. Rule 12

    Needs, wants and savings in balance

    Of take-home: needs (essentials and every EMI) up to 50%, wants up to 30%, the rest saved. When wants run high, wait a day before any non-essential buy.

    Cash flow · Growth rule

    Based on50/30/20: The 50/30/20 budget24 hours: The 24-hour rule
  13. Rule 13

    Invest first, on payday

    At least 20% of take-home set to go out as SIPs and deposits the day pay lands. What's left at month-end is a bonus, not the plan.

    Cash flow · Growth rule

    Based onPay first: Pay yourself first
  14. Rule 14

    Housing within 28%, all EMIs within 36%

    Home-loan EMIs and rent together under 28% of gross pay (CTC ÷ 12), and all EMIs under 36%.

    Debt · Growth rule

    Based on28/36: The 28/36 housing rule
  15. Rule 15

    A car the salary carries

    Car-loan EMIs under 10% of take-home, on a loan of 4 years at most, with at least 20% paid down (checked when you plan a car).

    Debt · Growth rule

    Based on20/4/10: The 20/4/10 car rule
  16. Rule 16

    A floor for retirement saving

    At least 10% of gross pay towards retirement each month (EPF, PPF, NPS, equity), 15% from 30 and 20% from 40. Take any employer PF or NPS match first: it's free money.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based on10% floor: 10% for tomorrowMatch, then max: Match, then max
  17. Rule 17

    Save half of every raise

    When pay rises, 50% of the extra goes to saving the month it lands, before lifestyle catches up.

    Cash flow · Growth rule

    Based on50% of raises: Save half of every raise
  18. Rule 18

    Net worth for your age

    Age × yearly pay ÷ 10 is what an average saver holds by now (Stanley & Danko). Below it, look at the saving rate first.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based onAge × income ÷ 10: Net worth for your age
  19. Rule 19

    Small bets stay small

    No single high-risk bet (crypto, a tip stock, F&O, collectibles) above 1% of net worth, so losing it all leaves the plan whole.

    Growth · Growth rule

    Based on1% cap: The 1% bet rule
See them on your numbers

Rules of thumb for planning, not advice on any product. Your own situation can call for different lines.