Sinking Fund Calculator
Add each planned expense and its target date. See exactly how much to save every month for each one — and what it all adds up to.
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Total to save every month
$0.00
Across 3 funds · $4,500 in total goals
Set accurate targets from your real spending
Guessing your car-repair or holiday budget is how sinking funds fall short. Scan your receipts with ReceiptSync and see exactly what each category actually cost last year — then fund it.
How to use a sinking fund calculator
A sinking fund turns a scary one-time expense into a small, predictable monthly habit. The math is simple — total needed divided by months until you need it — but doing it across every predictable expense at once is where most budgets fall apart. This tool adds them all up so you can see your true total monthly commitment before you commit.
Enter each fund's goal amount and target date, and (optionally) what you've already set aside, to get a per-fund monthly number and a running total. For the full list of categories worth a sinking fund and where to keep the money, read our complete guide to what sinking funds are and how to set them up. Planning your whole budget? Pair this with the 50/30/20 budget calculator.
This calculator is general information, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sinking fund?
A sinking fund is money you set aside gradually for a specific, planned future expense — car registration, holiday gifts, a vacation, insurance premiums — so the cash is ready when the bill arrives instead of hitting a credit card.
How do I calculate how much to save each month?
Divide the total you need by the number of months until you need it. This calculator does it for every fund at once and adds up your total monthly commitment, so you can see whether the plan fits your budget.
How many sinking funds should I have?
Start with 3–5 for your most predictable large expenses (car maintenance, home repair, holidays, vacation, insurance). Most people end up with 8–12 active funds. Add a row here for each.
Where should I keep sinking fund money?
In a high-yield savings account, ideally one that lets you create labeled sub-accounts or 'buckets' so each fund is separate. Sinking funds sitting in a 0.01% account lose value to inflation.
Is this financial advice?
No — it's a free savings calculator to help you plan. It doesn't account for interest earned on your savings or changes in your expenses.