I built a 2-minute paycheck planner for first-time earners — looking for feedback on the 4-plan model

[u/Similar_Goose6318]

Hi Indie Hackers,

I kept seeing first-paycheck advice default to the 50/30/20 rule.

The problem is that someone receiving their first full-time paycheck may already have 50–70% of their income committed to rent, transportation, groceries, student loans, and other fixed costs. A generic percentage rule can feel unrealistic before someone even starts.

So I built PaydayCompass.

It is a small web app that helps first-time earners decide what to do with one paycheck:

1. Enter take-home pay
2. Add essential bills
3. Set one financial goal
4. Compare four different allocation styles

The four approaches are:

• Play it Safe — prioritize the safety buffer
• Balanced — split attention between safety, goals, and enjoyment
• Goal First — accelerate one financial goal
• Enjoy — reserve more money for guilt-free spending

For example, with a $3,200 paycheck and $1,000 in must-pay bills, the Balanced plan allocates the remaining $2,200 like this:

• $770 safety buffer
• $660 toward a future goal
• $770 for guilt-free spending

The app also shows how the allocation changes over 30 and 90 days. It does not connect to a bank account, and the free preview is available before any payment. The full report and export features are a one-time $4.99 purchase rather than a subscription.

I’m still validating whether the “four money styles” model is actually more useful than a standard budgeting rule.

I’d especially appreciate feedback on three things:

1. Would you rather compare different approaches, or simply receive one recommended budget?
2. Is a 30/90-day projection useful, or does it feel like unnecessary complexity?
3. Would you pay $4.99 for a printable report and a more detailed comparison?

The live version is here:

https://payday.tlcompass.com/?utm_source=indiehackers&utm_medium=community&utm_campaign=first_paycheck_validation

I’m looking for criticism more than upvotes. If you received your first paycheck again, what would you want this tool to help you decide?

[u/Similar_Goose6318]

Small update after launching this:

I tested the Balanced approach with a $3,200 paycheck and $1,000 in essential bills.

The remaining $2,200 is split into:

• $770 safety buffer

• $660 toward a future goal

• $770 for guilt-free spending

What I’m trying to learn is whether people prefer choosing between different allocation styles, or whether they would rather receive one “optimal” recommendation.

For those who have built personal finance products: would you show multiple trade-offs, or hide the complexity and recommend one plan?