A sinking fund is money you set aside a little at a time for a known future expense, like insurance, gifts or a vacation. List your goals with a target, due date and what you've already saved, and get the monthly, every-2-weeks and weekly amount for each goal, the total you need, and progress bars.
Last updated:
Due date as 2027-07-01, 2027-07 (end of month), 7/1/2027, or "8 months" / "2 years" from the start date.
$/ mo
Enter your values to see the result.
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How to use the Sinking Fund Calculator
List your goals, one per line: name, target amount, due date and how much you have already saved.
Write due dates as 2027-07-01, 2027-07, 7/1/2027 or simply "8 months".
Pick the start date (today by default) and, optionally, the monthly amount you can set aside.
Read the total per month and per paycheck, and each goal's contribution in the table.
Check the progress bars and download the plan as CSV to track it.
How sinking fund contributions are calculated
Monthly contribution = (target − already saved) ÷ months until due
The same remaining amount is also divided by the number of 2-week periods (for biweekly paychecks) and weeks until the due date. The total you need each month is the sum over all goals.
Example: car insurance of $1,200 due in 6 months with $300 saved needs $900 ÷ 6 = $150 a month; holiday gifts of $800 in 10 months with $100 saved need $70 a month. Together: $220 a month.
Common sinking fund categories
Category
Typical timing
Monthly needed for $1,200
Car insurance (6-month or yearly premium)
6–12 months
$200 (6 mo) – $100 (12 mo)
Holiday and birthday gifts
12 months
$100
Vacation
12–18 months
$100 – $66.67
Car maintenance and tires
12–24 months
$100 – $50
New phone or laptop
24–36 months
$50 – $33.33
Home repairs
12–36 months
$100 – $33.33
Tips for sinking funds
Start with yearly bills: look at last year's statements for big once-a-year charges.
Automate the transfer on payday so each goal is funded without thinking about it.
Use the progress bars as motivation and to spot goals that are falling behind.
A sinking fund is a savings pot for a specific, expected expense: you split the cost into small regular deposits so the money is ready when the bill arrives. Common examples are yearly insurance premiums, car repairs, holiday gifts, vacations and replacing electronics. Unlike an emergency fund, the expense is planned.
How do I calculate a sinking fund contribution?
Monthly contribution = (target − already saved) ÷ number of months until the due date. For example, a $3,000 vacation in 14 months with $500 saved needs ($3,000 − $500) ÷ 14 = $178.57 a month.
How are the months counted?
The calculator counts the whole monthly deposits you can make between the start date and the due date. A goal due 6 months from today gets 6 deposits; if the due day is earlier in the month than the start day, the last partial month is not counted. Every-2-weeks amounts divide by the whole 14-day periods until the due date.
Sinking fund vs. emergency fund: what's the difference?
An emergency fund covers unexpected events such as job loss or medical bills and is usually 3–6 months of expenses. A sinking fund covers expected costs you know are coming. Having both keeps planned expenses from draining your emergency savings.
Where should I keep sinking funds?
Many people use a high-yield savings account, either one account with a spreadsheet or several sub-accounts (buckets) that many banks offer. The money should be safe and easy to reach, so it is usually not invested in stocks.
What happens if a due date has passed?
The goal is marked past due and its whole remaining amount is counted as needed now, so the total highlights it. Update the due date if the expense has moved.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.