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Targets

Available onAndroidiOSWeb

A target tells the app how much a category needs and when. Whether you're covering recurring bills, paying off debt or saving for something big, targets show you what still needs funding, feed the allocation suggestions and power Projections.

Set up a target​

  1. On the Budget tab, tap the category.

  2. Tap the Settings button (the gear) at the top of the sheet.

    Groceries' sheet on the Budget tab, with the Settings button (the gear) at the top right highlighted.Groceries' sheet on the Budget tab, with the Settings button (the gear) at the top right highlighted.

  3. Under Target setup, turn on Target.

  4. Choose the Type and fill in the fields for that type (see below).

    Target setup in Category details: Target turned on, with Type, Period, Amount, Day and Snooze this month.Target setup in Category details: Target turned on, with Type, Period, Amount, Day and Snooze this month.

You can also create a target from the Targets list (New target), where you first pick the Category.

Types of targets​

Day-to-day expenses​

"Allocate funds for recurring costs — Like groceries or gas, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly."

Choose a Period and an Amount:

PeriodWhat it's forExtra field
WeeklyA set amount each week, for example $200 every Monday for groceries.Rollover day: the day of the week
Twice a monthBegins on the 1st and rolls over mid-month.
MonthlyA fixed monthly sum for regular costs like rent or utilities.Day: the day it's due, or Any day
Every two monthsLess frequent bills and expenses.
AnnuallyYearly payments or subscriptions, for example $1,000 for insurance every June.Rollover month
CustomYour own schedule.Due on (the first due date) and Repeat (every so many months, or Never)

Get out of debt​

"Allocate extra funds each payment cycle — Systematically reduce debt & regain control."

Choose a Payment frequency (Monthly, Twice a month, Weekly or Every two months) and the Amount per payment. Tap Debt calculator to see how long it will take to pay off the debt and how extra payments cut the interest. See Credit cards and Large debts.

Savings​

"Define an end sum, due date (if needed) — Incrementally grow your funds, perfect for major buys."

Enter the Amount you want to reach and, optionally, an End date. For example, $5,000 for a holiday in 12 months. When you set an end date, you can also turn on Dynamic savings target: "It factors in any lump sum or extra savings to lower what you need to save each month."

On-going savings​

"Put aside a fixed sum each month without an end goal — Watch your nest egg grow effortlessly."

Enter the monthly Amount. Good for an emergency fund or general savings.

Snooze a target​

Had a month where a target doesn't apply? Turn on Snooze this month in the target's settings. The target is skipped for the current month and shows "Snoozed this month".

Follow your progress​

Once a category has a target, its row on the Budget tab shows how much you've allocated of the target ("$1,600.00 allocated of $1,800.00"), and its colour and icon tell you whether it's funded. Open the category to see the Target summary, with messages such as "Making progress — Keep going, $50.00 more to reach your target" or "Awesome job — You've hit your target".

Target summary for Groceries: Finish line in sight, $20.00 more to hit the target, and the progress bar at 97%.Target summary for Groceries: Finish line in sight, $20.00 more to hit the target, and the progress bar at 97%.

What a target still needs​

Most targets ask for what's due by today. A Weekly or Twice a month target (on Day-to-day expenses, or a Get out of debt target paid weekly or twice a month) also has the rest of the month ahead of it. In the category's quick details you can see both:

  • Left this month: what a weekly or twice-a-month target still needs for the whole month, less what's already funded.
  • Left to reach target: what a target with an end date (a Savings target with an End date, or a Custom day-to-day target) still needs to reach its whole amount.

All your targets in one place​

Open the menu (the ☰ button at the top left of the Budget tab) and choose Targets to see every target in your budget.

The Targets screen: targets grouped into Day-to-day expenses and Savings, each with its progress.The Targets screen: targets grouped into Day-to-day expenses and Savings, each with its progress.
  • Group them by Target type or Category group.
  • Sort them By priority (targets due soonest first), By amount, Category name or Category order, ascending or descending.
  • Tap a target to edit it, or tap New target to add one.
  • Tap Will I have enough money to cover all my expenses? to open Projections.

When you edit a target from this list, some targets also have Carryover balance: "Offset next month's allocation with carryover balances. This will apply to all periods." See Carry over amounts.

Fund your targets​

When you have money to allocate, the Budget health check helps you fund your targets:

  • The arrow on the "left to allocate" line opens Allocation suggestions, with your overspending, upcoming transactions and targets. Turn on Sort targets by priority to see the most urgent first, and Show completed targets to include completed and snoozed ones.
  • The lightbulb button opens Auto allocation. Smart allocation covers overspending first, then upcoming transactions, and finally allocates to targets by priority.

Fund from surplus and Fund … targets in a category's quick details, and Fund all targets and the other target-based options in Auto allocation, fill a weekly or twice-a-month target for the whole month, not only up to what's due by today. When several targets are funded at once, the money goes first to what every target has due by today. Only what's left then tops weekly and twice-a-month targets up to their whole month. A target whose due amount isn't covered gets no top-up, so the rest of one target's month never takes money another target needs today.

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