How to keep a monthly budget in Romania, step by step
Most people in Romania who keep a monthly budget use one of four methods: a notebook, a spreadsheet, their bank’s own spending view, or a budgeting app. The method matters less than doing it weekly: write down income, subtract fixed bills, and set a limit for the rest. Apps save time by reading transactions from the bank.
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Four methods
| Method | Effort | What it is good at | Where it fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook | You write everything by hand | Simple, no app | Hard to add up and search; easy to forget |
| Spreadsheet | You type or copy transactions | You can use formulas and charts | Depends on your discipline; copying takes time |
| The bank’s spending view | Almost no effort | Shows what you spend at that bank | Sees only that bank’s accounts |
| Budget app | You set limits once | Reads transactions and warns you before a limit | May cost money; depends on the banks covered |
A budget in five steps
- Write down your income. The amount that really reaches your account each month.
- Subtract fixed bills. Rent or instalments, utilities, subscriptions, transport.
- Set a limit for everything else. One amount for the whole month.
- Split the limit into a few categories. Three to five are usually enough.
- Look once a week. Compare what you have spent with the limit and adjust as you go.
An example
An example with round, invented numbers, not claimed to be typical. Income: 5,000 lei a month. Fixed bills: 2,500 lei (rent, utilities, subscriptions, transport). That leaves 2,500 lei. You split it: 1,200 lei food, 500 lei going out, 300 lei clothes and home, 500 lei for the unexpected. On Saturday you check what you have spent: if food reached 900 lei in the second week, you know 300 lei remain for the rest of the month.
The 50/30/20 rule, briefly
It is a commonly used rule of thumb, not financial advice. It suggests that about 50% of income goes to needs, 30% to wants and 20% to savings or paying down debt. Use it as a starting point and adjust it to your income and fixed costs.
Common mistakes
- Too many categories: you end up noting nothing.
- Forgotten yearly bills, such as car insurance or tax.
- No buffer for the unexpected.
- Giving up after one month over the limit, instead of adjusting it.
Where an app helps
An app such as AuraInsights removes the copying: it reads transactions from the bank and warns you before you reach a limit. It does not decide for you how much to spend. For limits and alerts, see the budgets page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a monthly budget?
Write down your income, subtract fixed bills, set a limit for the rest and split it into a few categories. Then look once a week at how much you have spent.
How much of my salary should I put aside?
It depends on your income and fixed costs; there is no figure that fits everyone. The 50/30/20 rule is a commonly used rule of thumb, not financial advice.
Which budget app should I use?
It depends on whether you want a bank connection, what you pay and which phone you have. See the comparison, with linked sources.
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Download the app for iPhone or Android.
General information, not financial advice.