What's spendable?
Your discretionary spending category for each week
The Simple Answer
Spendable is your weekly discretionary spending limit - the maximum amount you can spend each week without spending more than you earn. It's calculated by taking your weekly income and subtracting your budgeted expenses.
This flexible calculation ensures you never outspend your means while giving you freedom to spend on groceries, dining out, shopping, entertainment, or hobbies.
How the weekly calculation works
Cushion Budget takes your total income and converts it into a sustainable weekly spending amount. Here's the key insight: spendable is what's left after covering your essential expenses.
Unlike fixed expenses (rent, insurance, etc.) that have set amounts, spendable is flexible - it automatically adjusts based on your income and essential expenses. This ensures you can only spend what you can actually afford each week.
Weekly Income to Spendable Calculation
Types of spendable expenses
🍽️ Dining & Groceries
Food expenses including groceries, restaurants, takeout, and dining out.
🛍️ Shopping
Clothes, gadgets, books, and other non-essential purchases.
🎨 Hobbies
Art supplies, sports equipment, gaming, or hobby-related expenses.
🎁 Entertainment
Movies, concerts, games, and other entertainment expenses.
Your financial guardrails
The beauty of spendable is that it acts as automatic financial guardrails. Because it's calculated from your actual weekly income minus essential expenses, you physically cannot overspend as long as you stay within your spendable amount.
Your spendable amount is never more than you can afford. It automatically adjusts when your income changes or when you add new expenses.
No more guessing if you can afford something. If it fits in your weekly spendable amount, you can afford it guilt-free.
Why use spendable instead of adding categories?
You might wonder why you shouldn't just create separate budget categories for dining, shopping, and entertainment. Here's why spendable is better:
Instead of tracking every dollar across multiple categories, you get one simple spendable amount. Spend it however makes you happy without worrying about which specific category it should come from.
With separate categories, you'd constantly be moving money around - "I need $20 more for dining, but I have extra in my entertainment budget." With spendable, your money is already flexible.
You don't have to stress about whether that coffee should come from "dining" or "entertainment." It's all just spendable money - use it guilt-free for your weekly needs.
Some weeks you'll eat out more, other weeks you'll shop more. Spendable naturally adapts to your changing priorities without requiring budget adjustments.
⚖️ Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute professional financial advice. Cushion Budget is a budgeting tool, and we are not licensed financial advisors. Always consult with a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your financial situation. Your use of our app and any financial decisions you make are your responsibility.