> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.budgetbandit.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Set a target

> Tell a category how much it needs and by when. Targets cover both spending limits and savings goals.

A target tells a category how much money it needs and on what schedule. Budget Bandit
tracks the gap between what you have assigned and what the target asks for, so you
always know what is left to fund.

There are two kinds of target: a recurring amount you fund every period, and a savings
goal you build toward over time.

## Recurring spending limits

These targets ask for a set amount on a repeating schedule. Use them for bills and
regular spending.

| Target                 | What it asks for                                                                 |
| ---------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Monthly Target**     | A fixed amount to budget every month.                                            |
| **Weekly Target**      | A weekly amount, scaled to the length of the month.                              |
| **Yearly Target**      | An annual amount, split into 12 monthly pieces.                                  |
| **Refill to Amount**   | Top the category back up to a set level each period. Unused funds carry forward. |
| **% of Income**        | Assign a percentage of your income to this category.                             |
| **Linked to Schedule** | Match the amount from a scheduled transaction automatically.                     |

## Savings goals

Use **Save by Date** when you are building toward a one-time number — a vacation, a
deductible, an emergency fund. You enter the target amount and the date, and Budget
Bandit divides the remaining balance across the months you have left so you know what
to assign each month to arrive on time.

## How to add a target

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the category on the Budget page">
    Click the category name or its target area to open the target dialog.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose the target type">
    Pick from the recurring options or Save by Date, depending on whether this is an
    ongoing limit or a one-time goal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the amount and any schedule">
    Set the dollar amount, and a date or day where the type asks for one.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save">
    The category now shows its progress: how much is funded and how much is still
    needed this period.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Set Aside vs Refill

Some targets let you choose a behavior:

* **Set Aside** funds the full amount each period, no matter what carried over.
* **Refill** tops the category up to the target level, counting whatever is already
  there. Leftover money carries forward.

Choose Refill for categories where last period's leftover should reduce this period's
contribution, and Set Aside for categories you want fully funded fresh each time.

<Tip>
  Targets pair with [Auto-assign](/budgeting/auto-assign). The "Fund My Goals" strategy
  fills every category up to its target in one move, earliest due dates first.
</Tip>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Manage targets" icon="pen-to-square" href="/budgeting/manage-targets">
    Edit, snooze, or delete a target you have set.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Auto-assign" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/budgeting/auto-assign">
    Fund every target in one move.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Assign and move money" icon="money-bill-transfer" href="/budgeting/assign-and-move-money">
    The manual way to fund a category.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Irregular income" icon="wave-square" href="/budgeting/irregular-income">
    Targets when your income varies month to month.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>