50/30/20 Rule (budgeting)

Biological Parallel

Grizzly bears allocate energy with mathematical precision: 50% to basal metabolism (needs), 30% to foraging and activity (wants), and 20% to fat storage (savings) during salmon runs. This 50/30/20 split isn't arbitrary—it's the evolutionary equilibrium that maximizes survival probability across seasonal variation. Deviate too far in any direction and you either starve during lean times, fail to reproduce, or waste energy on excess reserves that predation or disease will claim anyway.