Routine · Use your budget

Keep the budget current.

Review transactions often. Small, regular checks are easier than one large cleanup.

5steps

Your regular check

Process every transaction.

Add recent transactions.Enter them by hand or import a QIF, OFX, QFX, CAMT, or CSV file from your bank.Check the payee and amount.Compare unclear purchases with a receipt or order history.Choose a category.Do not leave a transaction without a category.Split mixed purchases.Use Split when one purchase belongs to more than one category.Check pending transactions.A transaction can be correct before it clears. Check it again later.

A simplified map of the Actual Budget screen. The exact layout can change.

When new money arrives

Fund categories in priority order.

Use your current money priority after essentials and known costs are covered.

First
Protect essentials.
Fund housing, food, utilities, transport, insurance, and required payments.
Then
Prepare for known costs.
Add the planned monthly amount to annual bills and sinking funds.
Next
Fund the current priority.
Use the money that remains for the safety, debt, retirement, or goal you are working toward. Choose a priority.
Stop
Leave To Budget at zero.
Do not assign money that is not in an account yet.

Keep the budget current.

Process every transaction.

Fund categories in priority order.

Protect essentials.

Prepare for known costs.

Fund the current priority.

Leave To Budget at zero.