The 50/30/20 rule is a simple, practical rule of thumb for individuals who struggle to budget. It offers guidelines for enjoying your income while putting savings on autopilot. Some folks will disagree, calling it too lenient or too strict. That's fine. Skilled budgeters and savers will develop their own habits and can be as disciplined as they like. But, if budgeting isn't natural to you—especially if you're young, and you've avoided deep debt—the 50/30/20 rule gives you permission to relax a bit and put savings on autopilot.

People often ask about debt consolidation. Whether consolidating your debt is a good idea depends on both your personal financial situation and on the type of debt consolidation being considered. There are several potential benefits associated with debt consolidation. Taking this step allows you to combine multiple debts into a single monthly payment, simplifying your finances and making life easier.