How to calculate your monthly burn rate

The personal-finance version of a startup metric — and why it's useful.

By the MonthlyIQ team · Last updated 2026-09-28 · Editorial policy

Key takeaways

Burn rate is how much you spend in a typical month.
Take total real spending (excluding transfers) over three months and divide by three.
MonthlyIQ's What-if planner shows how cancelling a bill or trimming a category changes your monthly and yearly numbers.

Burn rate is how much you spend in a typical month. Compare it with income to see how fast savings grow or shrink.

Take total real spending (excluding transfers) over three months and divide by three.

MonthlyIQ's What-if planner shows how cancelling a bill or trimming a category changes your monthly and yearly numbers.

Connect your accounts and MonthlyIQ explains your month — what's due, what changed, and what's left.

General information only, not financial, tax, or legal advice. MonthlyIQ is not a bank or financial adviser.