$485 Monthly Surplus
With $500 income and $15 in expenses, you have a $485 monthly surplus (97.0% savings rate).
$485 Surplus
97.0% savings rate
How This Works
A positive surplus means you're spending less than you earn and can save or invest the difference. A deficit means expenses exceed income — a sign to review spending or increase income before it leads to debt.
Formula
Surplus/Deficit = Income − Expenses | Savings Rate = Surplus ÷ Income × 100
Example
$5,000 income with $3,800 expenses leaves a $1,200 surplus — a 24% savings rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
With $500 income and $15 expenses, do I have a surplus or deficit?
A surplus of $485, a 97.0% savings rate.
What's a good savings rate?
20% is a commonly cited target, though this varies widely by income level, cost of living, and financial goals.