Giving
Build a tithe-first budget in four steps
In short
A tithe-first budget plans giving before allocating the rest of your income. Choose a giving percentage and income base, then cover essentials, debt payments, and savings with the money available. The amounts can change when your household needs change.
Start with the income you expect to receive and a giving amount you have chosen. Writing that amount into the budget makes the commitment visible before you decide what is available for other spending.
This is a planning order, not a requirement to send money before you can cover a bill that is due. Match payment dates to your paydays, and adjust the plan if income will not cover the household's needs.
Step one: choose your giving amount
Ten percent is the traditional meaning of a tithe. You can use that percentage or choose another giving amount that fits your circumstances. Decide whether to calculate it from gross income, before payroll deductions, or take-home pay, after deductions.
Calculate the giving amount from your chosen base, but build the spending plan around money actually available. For example, giving based on gross income still has to fit within take-home pay alongside bills and savings.
If you schedule a gift through your church or charity, check both the withdrawal date and the amount. UniFi plans and tracks giving, and if your church uses UniFi Giving you can give to it in the app.
Step two: cover essentials and debt minimums
List housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, insurance, and minimum debt payments. Use recent statements to estimate what those categories actually cost. Include expenses paid less often, such as annual insurance, by setting aside part of the cost each month.
If the total is more than your available income, revise the amounts before making commitments. Giving, optional spending, extra debt payments, and savings targets can all be reviewed. A plan that requires new borrowing to cover ordinary bills needs another pass.
Step three: decide on extra debt payments
Once essentials and minimums are covered, choose an extra payment you can sustain. Snowball directs it to the smallest balance; avalanche directs it to the highest interest rate. Keep required payments on the other debts current.
When one balance is paid off, you can direct its former payment toward the next debt. Compare that choice with your need for accessible emergency savings. A payoff estimate assumes the planned payments continue and can change when rates, balances, or income change.
Step four: assign savings and a buffer
Give savings a line in the budget. Separate money for an unexpected expense from money for a known bill or a specific goal. Keep enough in checking for the timing gap between paydays and payments.
There is no requirement to wait until every debt is paid before saving. The balance between a reserve and extra debt payments depends on your income stability, borrowing costs, and likely expenses.
A worked example: $5,200 a month
This hypothetical household gives 10% of $5,200 in monthly take-home pay. It also has debt payments and is building a cash reserve. These are example allocations, not recommended amounts for every household.
The listed amounts total $5,200. If groceries or another essential cost rises, the household must reduce another line or use money already set aside. The budget shows the trade-off; it does not remove it.
One month, in order
- Giving: $520, leaving $4,680.
- Essentials: rent $1,650, utilities and phone $310, groceries $700, transportation $420, insurance $260, and debt minimums $180. Total $3,520, leaving $1,160.
- Extra debt payment: $600, leaving $560.
- Emergency savings: $400. Checking buffer: $160. Total planned: $5,200.
Key takeaways
- Choose the percentage and income base for giving before allocating the rest of the budget.
- Plan spending from available take-home pay, even if you calculate giving on gross income.
- Cover essentials and minimum debt payments; weigh extra payments against the need for a cash reserve.
- Review the amounts when income or costs change. The default order is adjustable.
Questions people ask
How do I start a tithe-first budget?
Choose your giving percentage and whether to use gross or take-home income. Subtract that amount from available cash, then plan essentials, debt payments, and savings. Check the payment dates as well as the monthly totals.
Do I have to give 10% to use this budget?
No. A tithe means a tenth, but you can build a giving-first budget around another percentage or amount. UniFi lets you adjust the giving plan.
Should I tithe on gross or net income?
Gross means pay before deductions; net means take-home pay. Choose a base that fits your convictions and household circumstances, write it down, and use it consistently. The spending plan still needs to fit the cash available.
What if giving and bills exceed my income?
Revise the plan before sending payments. Protect immediate household needs and review giving, optional spending, and savings targets together. If you cannot meet required payments, contact the provider or lender about your options.
Can my spouse use the same UniFi budget?
Yes. A spouse is included in the household subscription. Send the household invitation from Settings so you can work with the same budget.
See how UniFi puts giving in the budget alongside editable categories, income, and planned amounts.
See giving-first budgetingThis article is educational, not personalized financial advice. Adjust the example to your household.