How do I know if I can afford something?
A purchase is affordable if it does not push you into debt, does not wipe your emergency buffer, and still leaves room for your monthly savings target. This calculator checks all three.
Smart purchase lab
Can I Afford This? Calculator
Pause before you pay. Check the real impact on your budget, savings, and emergency buffer.
Before buying a phone, subscription, gadget, course, trip, or expensive item, check how it affects your monthly budget, savings goal, and emergency buffer.
No login requiredJudgment-freeBuilt for Indian salaries
Decision console
What we check
Free cashincome − fixed expenses
Affordability% of free cash used
Savings impactgoal vs reality
Buffer warningemergency safety net
Delay benefit30-day cooling off
One-time buy
< 10% of income
A simple thumb rule to keep purchases from derailing your budget.
Total EMIs
< 30–40% of income
A simple thumb rule to keep purchases from derailing your budget.
Emergency buffer
> 3x expenses
A simple thumb rule to keep purchases from derailing your budget.
Input check
Will this purchase break your budget?
Be honest with the numbers. This tool is judgment-free and runs only in your browser. We do not store your income or purchase details.
Purchase details
Add income, expenses, and purchase cost to continue.
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Frequently asked questions
Free cash is your monthly income minus fixed expenses — the money you actually control. It is the pool this purchase will compete against.
Essara helps you organize and review recurring expenses. It is not financial advice and does not cancel services on your behalf.
FAQ
Affordability questions, answered plainly.
What percentage of salary should a purchase be?
As a thumb rule, a discretionary one-time purchase should be under 10% of your monthly income. For EMIs, total monthly debt payments should stay under 30–40% of your income.
Should I buy on EMI?
EMI spreads the cost but adds interest and commitment. Only choose EMI if the monthly EMI is under 10% of your free cash and you still meet your savings target after paying it.
Is this calculator financial advice?
No. This is an educational decision-support tool. For personalized advice, consult a SEBI-registered investment advisor.
How can Essara help track future purchases?
Essara lets you set savings goals, tag expenses by category, and review spending patterns month after month so you can plan big purchases without guilt.