Targets

A target is a rule for an envelope, and BranchBooks works out the money each month needs to meet it. You can still assign and move money by hand, and it counts toward the target.

Kinds of target

• Monthly: refill the envelope to an amount each month, such as rent. By default a month that falls short starts fresh next month. With carry shortfall, next month makes up the difference.
• By a date: save an amount by a due month, such as a car fund. BranchBooks spreads what’s left over the months remaining, and the due month takes the remainder.

How targets are funded

Targets are funded at the end of each month, after that month’s own entries. The earliest due come first, then by category name. Funding uses only the money on hand that month. Anything it can’t fund shows as a shortfall on the Budget page.

Because funding ignores money assigned to later months, Unassigned can go negative when targets and a future assignment together promise more than you have. That’s deliberate: it shows the over-commitment.

Changing a target

A change takes effect from the month you make it, so earlier months stay as they were. Setting the amount to zero ends a target.