Step 4 captures every way you move: car payment, insurance, fuel, transit, parking. The benchmark bar flags overspending.
2 min read
Transportation is Step 4 of the survival budget. It collects car payment, car insurance, fuel/gas, transit passes, parking, and maintenance sinking funds. Each line supports a per-deposit or monthly frequency toggle, same as Shelter.
Good to know
The benchmark bar target is roughly 15% of take-home pay across all transport lines combined. Over that, you're subsidising your commute at the expense of savings and debt.
Tip
Own a car outright? Skip the car payment line but keep the maintenance sinking fund. Tires, brakes, and an annual service are not optional, they're just delayed.
Heads up
If your car payment + insurance + fuel exceeds 20% of take-home, the app nudges you. A financed depreciating asset eating a fifth of your income is the fastest way to stay broke.
Step 9 lets you choose Snowball or Avalanche. Both use the same monthly budget — only the order of attack differs.
The Safety Net step sets your emergency fund target and tells Payday Audit how much to allocate each income deposit.
Step 8 helps you track workplace investing and employer match amounts that are already handled before your take-home income arrives.