Links to Help Break Down the Budget

The budget President Obama released Monday would spend about $3.8 trillion in the 2011 fiscal year (which actually starts this October). Here are a few ways to understand that very large number:

The New York Times breaks down what would actually be cut if President Obama’s budget were enacted as proposed (make sure to click “Hide Mandatory Spending”):

For a more day-to-day view of the same data, check out USA Today’s calculator to see how much you’re likely to pay in taxes this year, and see what your money pays for. Or see how much you’d have paid (and made) in every year back to 1940.

Think you can do better than Mr. Obama (or Congress)? Our colleagues at Marketplace believe in you. Try their Budget Hero game. It’s more fun than doing your taxes.

Or, if you just want to read the budget, it’s online at WhiteHouse.gov.