For my budget building exercise, I used a monthly income of R10 500 and applied the 50/30/20 rule. I allocated 50% (R5 250) to needs such as rent, groceries, transport, and utilities. Within this category, rent takes up about R3 500, groceries about R1 200, and transport around R550. For wants, I set aside 30% (R3 150) to cover entertainment, dining out, subscriptions, and small personal treats. The remaining 20% (R2 100) goes towards savings and debt repayment, which includes R1 000 for an emergency fund and R1 100 as an extra payment on any outstanding debts. This balance allows me to meet my essential needs, enjoy life responsibly, and stay consistent with saving and debt reduction.