BudgetBeyond Calculator

Debt Survival Calculator

A calm, math-first view of what your current numbers imply over time.

Your numbers

$
Total balance today.
%
If unsure, use your best estimate.
$
Use a typical month.
$
Housing, food, utilities, transport.
$
What you currently pay each month.
This tool assumes nothing changes over time. It shows how the math behaves if income, costs, and payments stay constant.

Results

Ready
Time to debt-free (under current numbers)
Enter your numbers and press Recalculate.
This assumes nothing changes — income, costs, and payments stay exactly as they are.
Monthly cash buffer
Income minus living costs and debt payment.
Interest paid if nothing changes
Interest accumulated while payments continue.
Projected debt balance over time
From here, people usually decide whether this trajectory is acceptable or worth changing.
Assumptions used
  • Interest compounds monthly (APR / 12).
  • Income, living costs, and payments are fixed each month.
  • Payment is applied monthly. Interest is calculated first, then principal.
Calculation details

How this calculator works

This calculator assumes nothing changes over time. Each month, interest is applied to the current balance, then your payment is applied. Income and living costs are used only to calculate your remaining monthly cash buffer.If the payment does not exceed the monthly interest, the balance will not reduce. If the payment does not fit within income after living costs, the situation is not sustainable under the current assumptions.All results are estimates based on the inputs provided and are intended to show the direction the numbers take if they remain unchanged.

Common questions

How long will my debt last?

How long your debt lasts depends on the balance, interest rate, and monthly payment. This calculator estimates the time to zero by applying interest monthly and reducing the balance by the payment amount. If the payment is too small, the debt may not clear.

What does “does not clear” mean?

“Does not clear” means the monthly payment does not exceed the interest being added. In this case, the balance is not projected to reach zero under the fixed assumptions used.

What assumptions does this calculator use?

The calculator assumes income, living costs, interest rate, and payment stay constant. It does not account for fees, rate changes, or additional payments.