Pay Yourself Right
WHY
Running a business isn’t just about making money, it’s about knowing exactly where it goes. These calculators help you see your finances clearly, so you can:
Track Fixed Expenses (what must be paid every month).
Track Variable Expenses (what fluctuates month to month).
Calculate how much you can safely pay yourself after expenses, loans, and tax.
By breaking it down this way, you take control instead of guessing. You’ll know exactly how much is available for reinvestment, savings, or personal pay, and you’ll avoid the stress of unexpected shortfalls.
Think of this as your financial GPS, telling you where your money is going and how much you actually have to work with.
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Separating predictable and fluctuating costs gives you a clear picture of your cashflow and helps with planning.
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Input every expense, even small or occasional ones, so your totals are accurate.
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Revenue alone doesn’t tell you what you can spend. Subtract expenses, loans, and tax to see real available pay.
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Setting aside tax from the start prevents surprises and ensures your take-home pay is safe.
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Consistent use gives you real insight over time. You’ll spot trends, avoid cashflow problems, and make smarter decisions for your business.
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With this system, you’re not guessing. You have a step-by-step, no-fluff view of your finances, so you can act with certainty.
EACH YEAR, OVER 50,000 NEW BUSINESSES ARE REGISTERED IN NZ, EACH WITH ITS OWN STRUCTURE AND RULES.
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EACH YEAR, OVER 50,000 NEW BUSINESSES ARE REGISTERED IN NZ, EACH WITH ITS OWN STRUCTURE AND RULES. ✦
Stop guessing how much you can afford to take each month.
Ready to take control of your income and your business? Follow along, and make this the moment you start paying yourself properly, on your terms, with confidence and clarity.
Purpose: Track expenses that stay mostly the same each month.
Fixed Expenses Examples:
Rent / Utilities
Insurance
Loan Payments / Bank Fees
Wages / Contractors (stable salaries)
Software / Subscriptions
Step 1 – Enter Expenses
Input your monthly amounts for each category.
Leave blank if not applicable.
Step 2 – Click “Calculate Total Fixed Expenses”
The calculator totals all inputs.
Step 3 – Review Results
Each category’s amount is displayed below.
Total Fixed Expenses shows how much is going out every month for predictable costs.
Step 4 – Optional
Adjust amounts if anything changes in the month.
Fixed Expenses Calculator
Reduce stress and know exactly where your money is going.
Ready to take control of your income and your business? Follow along, and make this the moment you start paying yourself properly, on your terms, with confidence and clarity.
Purpose: Track expenses that fluctuate each month.
Variable Expenses Examples:
Marketing / Advertising
Supplies / Materials
Repairs & Maintenance
Miscellaneous / Other
Step 1 – Enter Expenses
Input your monthly amounts for each category.
Skip any category that doesn’t apply this month.
Step 2 – Click “Calculate Total Variable Expenses”
Totals each input and adds them together.
Step 3 – Review Results
Each category’s total is displayed.
Total Variable Expenses shows how much you’re spending on flexible costs.
Step 4 – Optional
Adjust monthly as costs change to get an accurate picture.
Variable Expenses Calculator
Clear records, predictable income, and confidence are within reach.
Ready to take control of your income and your business? Follow along, and make this the moment you start paying yourself properly, on your terms, with confidence and clarity.
Calculate My Pay
Purpose: Figure out how much money is available for you to take as pay after expenses, loans, and tax.
Step 1 – Enter Monthly Revenue
Input the total money your business brings in this month.
Step 2 – Enter Business Expenses
This can be the total of Fixed + Variable Expenses, or manually input if you prefer.
Step 3 – Enter Loans / Savings
Put any money you need to set aside for debt repayment, reinvestment, or personal savings.
Step 4 – Enter Tax Percentage
Default is 25%, adjust if your tax situation is different.
Step 5 – Click “Calculate”
The calculator shows two results:
Available Pay – how much you can safely take home.
Tax to Save – how much you need to set aside for tax.
Step 6 – Review Results
If numbers don’t look right, double-check your expenses and revenue inputs.
Adjust if needed and recalculate.
Step 7 – Optional
If you’ve connected Fixed + Variable totals to this calculator, Business Expenses will auto-fill for accuracy.
Pro Tips for Users
Always update your calculators monthly to reflect changes in your business.
Use Fixed + Variable calculators first, then plug totals into Calculate My Pay.
This system helps see the full picture: what’s going out, what’s coming in, and what you can safely take as pay.
Keep results as a reference for cashflow planning and budgeting?
Conclusion
One size does not fit all when it comes to business, you are not limited by your specific trades or skills; instead, you have the opportunity to explore and expand your potential beyond what you might initially think. The best way to define your business is to make a Business Plan, this allows you to see the full picture of your business or organisation over the next 3 years.
Your Business Plan explains how you will operate, earn revenue, and handle expenses and most importantly clarifies roles and processes in your organisation.
Regularly updating your plan to include new insights and adjustments is crucial for staying relevant and achieving long-term success.
SOLE TRADER
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
COMPANY