Methodology
How Affordit calculates affordability
Affordit estimates affordability by looking at what you want to buy or plan for, how much it costs, how much you already have saved, how much you can contribute each month, your income, your regular costs and your timeline. It then gives you a practical affordability score and verdict to help you decide whether the plan feels realistic.
Try your own numbersWhat Affordit looks at
Target cost
The target cost is the total amount you are planning for. This could be the cost of a car, wedding, holiday, house deposit, rent move, renovation or another goal. A useful affordability check starts with the full cost, not only the advertised price or deposit.
Current savings
Current savings are what you already have available for the goal. Savings can reduce monthly pressure, but using all of your savings can leave you exposed if something unexpected happens.
Monthly contribution
This is how much you can realistically put towards the goal each month. It should be based on what is left after normal costs, not an optimistic amount that only works if nothing changes.
Income
Income helps Affordit understand the money available to you. Take-home pay is often more useful than salary before tax because it reflects what you can actually use each month.
Regular costs
Regular costs include rent, bills, food, transport, subscriptions, debt payments and other commitments. These costs matter because a plan that ignores normal life can look more affordable than it really is.
Timeline
Timeline affects monthly pressure. A shorter timeline usually means a higher monthly contribution is needed. A longer timeline can make a goal more manageable, but it may also delay the purchase or event.
Optional repayment or interest assumptions
For some goals, repayments or interest may matter. Affordit can help users sense-check the monthly pressure, but it does not approve finance or provide lending advice.
What the affordability score means
80-100
Sustainable
The plan looks realistic based on your inputs. The monthly pressure appears manageable and the goal should not rely on using every spare penny.
60-79
Manageable
The plan may be possible, but it could still require discipline, trade-offs or a longer timeline. It is worth checking the costs people often forget.
40-59
Stretch
The plan may put pressure on your monthly budget. You may need to reduce the target cost, increase savings, extend the timeline or lower other costs.
0-39
Not realistic yet
The plan is likely to feel difficult based on your current inputs. You may need to rethink the cost, timeline or monthly contribution before committing.
Why Affordit looks beyond the headline cost
A purchase can look affordable on paper but still feel uncomfortable month to month. A car is not just the car price. Rent is not just the rent payment. A wedding is not just the venue deposit. A holiday is not just the flight and hotel. Affordit helps you include the costs people often forget, so the plan is closer to real life.
Example calculation
Example: You want to save £3,000 for a used car. You already have £750 saved and can put away £250 per month. In a simple calculation, the remaining £2,250 would take around 9 months. But the affordability check should also consider insurance, tax, MOT, servicing and fuel, because those costs affect whether the car remains affordable after you buy it.
What Affordit does not do
Affordit does not run a credit check, does not connect to your bank account and does not tell you whether a lender, landlord, mortgage provider or finance company will approve you. It is a planning tool, not a financial adviser, broker or lender.
How to improve your affordability score
- Reduce the target cost
- Increase current savings
- Increase your monthly contribution
- Extend the timeline
- Reduce regular monthly costs
- Choose a lower monthly repayment option
- Add a bigger upfront deposit
- Build in a better emergency buffer
Common questions
Does Affordit run a credit check?
No. Affordit does not run credit checks, connect to your bank account or affect your credit score.
Is the affordability score a lending decision?
No. The score is a planning estimate based on the numbers you enter. It is not a lender, landlord, mortgage provider or finance-company approval decision.
Why does timeline matter?
A shorter timeline usually means a higher monthly contribution is needed. A longer timeline can reduce monthly pressure, but it may also delay the purchase or event.
How can I improve a score?
You can usually improve a score by reducing the target cost, increasing savings, extending the timeline, lowering regular costs or choosing a plan with less monthly pressure.
Is Affordit financial advice?
No. Affordit provides general planning guidance only. It is not a financial adviser, lender, broker or approval service.