In the Budget tool, top-level figures (Income, Fixed Spending and Saving, and Discretionary Spending) and their subcategories are read-only. This is because these numbers are calculated directly from your Base Plan.
How to Change Top-Level Numbers
To update any read-only budget figures, adjust the underlying inputs in your profile:
- Update your Base Profile: Go to your Base Profile and adjust the appropriate setting or input.
- Earnings too low? Update your Expected Earnings input.
- Discretionary Spending too high? Set a Spending Cap under Settings & Assumptions.
- Rerun your plan: Run your Base Plan again to calculate the new numbers.
- View updated budget: Return to the Budget tool, where your new numbers will automatically reflect.
Customizing Discretionary Spending
While Income and Fixed Spending categories are locked, you have full flexibility with Discretionary Spending. You can divide your total Discretionary Spending allowance into as many custom categories and target amounts as you like.
Automatic Mid-Year Prompts
If you update your Base Profile at any point during the year and your Base Plan figures change, the Budget tool will automatically prompt you to sync and update your budget targets.