Give every planning tool one clear job.

Build a category hierarchy

Open Categories with ⌘2. Create a new category with ⌥⌘C, or edit the selected category with ⌘↩. Use a small number of broad top-level groups, then add subcategories when the detail will change a decision.

Subcategories inherit their parent’s colour and icon, and their totals roll up to the parent. Food can therefore show one broad total while Groceries and Restaurants preserve useful detail underneath.

Choose the correct category type

• Spending is the normal choice for expenses.
• Income keeps incoming money separate from spending metrics.
• Savings treats money set aside separately from ordinary spending.

Set income and savings types before importing a large history when practical. Accurate types keep Home summaries and weekly percentages meaningful.

Use a Goal for a weekly limit

A Goal belongs to a category and represents the amount you intend to spend in an average week. Add goals to the top-level spending categories you actively manage, then open Weekly Overview with ⇧⌘B.

Weekly Overview compares goals with actual spending and can express allocations as a percentage of income. Spending in subcategories rolls up to the parent goal.

Use a Target for a future amount

A Target is for something with an amount and date: an annual bill, replacement purchase, trip, or other future expense. Open Targets with ⇧⌘T to create and review progress.

Use a category Goal for “keep groceries around this amount each week.” Use a Target for “have this amount ready by this date.” They answer different questions and do not need to be created for every category.

Favourite the categories you monitor

Select a category and press ⇧⌘F to favourite or unfavourite it. Favourites surface the categories whose spending comparisons you want to check frequently without forcing every category into the same review routine.