Free Tool — Financial

BASE
Calculator

Enter your actual personal expenses from bank statements. BASE is your real life — not a bare-minimum survival budget. Know your number before you price a single job.

Housing & Utilities
Rent or mortgageIncl. property tax + HOA
$
Electric, gas, water
$
Home / renter's insurance
$
Internet
$
Food & Everyday
Groceries
$
Restaurants & takeoutBudget for real life, not zero
$
Transportation
Car payment(s)
$
Auto insurance
$
Gas (personal vehicle)
$
Insurance & Health
Health insurance premium
$
Life insurance
$
Medical copays / prescriptionsMonthly average
$
Phone
$
Debt Minimum Payments
Credit cards (minimums only)Extra payments go in Savings
$
Student loans
$
Other personal debt minimums
$
Life Expenses — include everything, BASE is real life
SubscriptionsStreaming, gym, apps
$
Clothing & personal care
$
Kids — activities, school, supplies
$
Entertainment & nights outReal number, not zero
$
Gifts & holidaysMonthly average of annual spend
$
Vacation / travelMonthly average
$
Miscellaneous / buffer
$
Savings & Future — BASE without savings is not BASE
Emergency fund contributionUntil 6 months funded
$
Retirement contributionRoth IRA, SEP-IRA, etc.
$
Extra debt payoffAbove minimums
$
Total monthly expenses: $0  |  Savings: $0
Never enters BASE: business materials, equipment, business vehicle, subcontractors, business insurance, tools, marketing.
Monthly BASE
$0
per month gross income needed
Monthly expenses$0
× 2 (SE tax gross-up)× 2
Monthly BASE$0

The ×2 accounts for SE tax (15.3% both sides) plus income tax. You need to earn ~$2 to take home $1.

Annual BASE
$0
your business must generate each year
Savings Not Included

A ×1.25 adjustment has been applied, which adds approximately:

→ 10% for retirement / emergency fund
→ 10% for debt payoff or investment
→ ~5% variance buffer
Your Floor

Fill in your expenses to calculate your BASE. Include everything — real life, not a survival budget.

← VAST Gap Analysis Fitness Check
Free Tools: VAST Gap Analysis BASE Calculator Fitness Check →

Your Progress

No saved results yet. Complete the assessment above and save to start tracking your progress.
?>

Need a contractor website, managed hosting, or custom web development?

Visit Blue Collar Funded →
GAP
Free Download

Cross the VAST GAP

The story of every skilled tradesperson who hit the ceiling. 14 cards. One clear picture of the problem — and the bridge across it.

Download Free
Free Weekly Newsletter

From the Ground Up

Weekly business education for tradespeople. One concept per issue. Free with any account. No filler, no fluff — just what you need to know.

Subscribe Free →

Free account required. No credit card.