Subscription-to-Income Stress Tool
Measure recurring subscription pressure on your income.
Enter total subscription spending and household income to see the stress ratio, classify its band, save scenarios, and compare views side by side.
Inputs
Subscription & income
Results
Low
Stress classification is based on the ratio of subscriptions to monthly income.
Ratio
2.8%
Monthly subscriptions
US$220
Annual subscriptions
US$2,640
Monthly income
US$8,000
Subscription-to-income ratio
2.8%
Low
Ratio range < 5%
Moderate
Ratio range 5–10%
Elevated
Ratio range 10–15%
High
Ratio range ≥ 15%
Estimates are illustrative and for educational purposes only. This tool does not provide financial or investment advice.
Cost projection
Monthly allocation snapshot
Bars show how the monthly income entered splits between subscriptions and the amount left over.
AI insight
Numeric summary
Press the button to generate a plain-language summary anchored to the current numbers.
This AI text describes numbers only and is not advice.
Scenarios
Scenario comparison
Save mixes of subscription costs and income to compare how the stress ratio shifts across scenarios.
Results explainer
You’ll see your total subscription spend, the slice of income it takes, and how that ratio shifts when you add or remove items. Stress bands keep it simple so you can tell if the load looks light or heavy for your budget.
Disclaimer
Estimates are illustrative and for educational purposes only. This tool does not provide financial, tax, or legal advice. Results depend on your inputs and assumptions and may not reflect actual billing terms, price changes, promotions, or usage. This tool does not access your bank or account data.
How it works
The tool adds up your recurring subscriptions, converts annual items to a monthly figure if you switch them on, and divides the total by your monthly income to show a stress ratio. Save different setups and compare them to see which mix feels sustainable.
Inputs used
- Monthly income
- List of subscription amounts (monthly)
- Optional annual items toggled into monthly form
- Saved scenarios you choose to compare
Core formulas
- Total subscription spend = monthly items + (annual items ÷ 12)
- Stress ratio = total subscription spend ÷ monthly income
- Classification bands applied to the stress ratio
Calculation steps
- Add up monthly subscriptions.
- If annual items are included, divide each by 12 and add them.
- Divide the total by your monthly income to get the stress ratio.
- Apply a band (e.g., low, moderate, elevated, high) based on the ratio.
- Repeat for saved scenarios to compare side by side.
Example scenario
Monthly income: $5,000. Subscriptions: $180 across 12 services, plus one annual plan at $120. Total monthly subscription spend is $190 ($180 + $10 from the annual). The stress ratio is 3.8% ($190 ÷ $5,000), which lands in a low band. Add a $40 service and the ratio rises to 4.6%; remove a $30 duplicate and it drops to 4.0%.
Interpretation notes
- A higher ratio can signal subscriptions crowding out other expenses.
- Small additions stack up fast if income is flat or falling.
- Annual plans look tiny monthly; keep an eye on renewal month.
- Shared services may overstate your cost; adjust for your share.
- Currency and income timing can tilt the ratio; keep them aligned.
Limitations & assumptions
The ratio assumes steady income and recurring charges at the amounts you enter. It doesn’t account for taxes, bank fees, FX changes, promos, or usage-based overages. Annual renewals are spread evenly when toggled on and may need a quick manual check. Shared plans, family bundles, or employer perks aren’t automatically split. Use this as a directional guide, not advice.
FAQs
Quick answers
What does this tool estimate?
It estimates how much of your income goes to subscriptions, shows a stress ratio, and highlights how that ratio shifts when you add, remove, or change costs.
What’s included or excluded?
Included: your income, fixed monthly subscriptions, and optional annual items converted to monthly. Excluded: taxes, bank fees, FX charges, and one-off purchases.
What assumptions are used?
Subscriptions are treated as recurring at the amounts you enter; annual items are spread monthly when you toggle them on. The tool assumes steady income for the ratio.
Can I save or export scenarios?
Yes. You can save multiple setups, compare them side by side, and export summaries for your records.
Is my data private?
Calculations run in your browser. Inputs are not sent to a server unless you choose to export files locally.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is an educational model to help you review recurring costs. Confirm numbers with your provider and seek professional advice for money decisions.
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