Average the last six months of net invoices after payment, not after sending. That average is your ceiling for the fake salary plus tax plus business costs. Tax reserve is sacred: in many countries you will owe a chunk later even if the month felt empty. Business costs (software, coworking, accountant) stay out of grocery money. Health is both insurance and unpaid sick days: if you cannot work, the fake salary still needs a buffer.
Operating rules
- Two accounts if possible: operations and tax vault.
- Transfer the fake salary on a fixed weekday, even if invoices landed on Tuesday.
- Never spend the tax vault on a laptop upgrade.
- If a month is below average, drop lifestyle and business nice-to-haves first.
- Review rates quarterly so the average is not a two-year-old number.
This template is for cashflow, not for filing returns. Pair it with the 50/30/20 guide if you want a simpler three-bucket view of the fake salary only.
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