EMI planning: how to keep fixed costs visible every month
A practical way to handle EMIs and other fixed commitments so your monthly budget stays realistic.
What ‘fixed costs’ really means
Fixed costs are commitments you can’t easily change this month: EMIs, rent, subscriptions, loan payments, etc.
If fixed costs aren’t visible, your ‘available money’ is an illusion.
Make a commitments list
- EMI name (phone/bike/loan)
- Monthly amount
- End date (or review date)
- Auto-debit day (if any)
Separate fixed vs variable spending
Once fixed costs are listed, treat everything else as variable spending. This helps you spot what you can actually control.
- Fixed: EMIs, rent, bills, subscriptions
- Variable: food, travel, shopping, entertainment
Add a buffer
Real months have surprises. A small buffer prevents one unexpected expense from breaking your plan.
- Start with 5–10% of income
- Increase if your spending is volatile
Want to try these tips in the app?
ExpenseTracker helps you log expenses quickly, review month-by-month totals, and keep EMIs visible automatically.