Budgets in themselves are a thorny issue because there are so many methods and people tend to come up with creative ways to tweak each so they can use them. I can appreciate that.
As for carryover amounts, there are some advocates out there that would say that is a sin, but, each to his or her own. If your main goal in having carryover amounts is that if you are thrifty one month or two, then you can spend a little more the next, then I would look at that icon at the upper left to show the annual totals. That way, you will see if you are over/under for the year for that category. That accomplishes the same for my personal needs. I attached a screenshot showing a highly discretionary expense (purchasing music). There were some months I was over, but for the year, I was under budget which is my goal.
![Mac Mac](/uploads/1/2/5/5/125501521/951706202.png)
May 10, 2018 - In the Select Categories to Budget window, click the tab where the category you want to add or remove is located. For example, click Personal.
Thanks so much for the tips! We actually use an 'envelope method' of budgeting. It's a great way to save up for expenses like gifts, entertainment, utilities and other things. I live in Colorado and our water bill and utilities vary greatly from season to season.
This is why envelope method works better. A fixed amount goes into them every month, so when we spend less one month and more in another, it's covered. Our spending for other categories like groceries and household stuff is never consistent. It can vary by hundreds of dollars. IBank has an option for 'envelope' budgeting that I was using for the last 2 years. Now their software is having issues and that's why I jumped to Quicken. I may have to jump back because this method of budgeting is what has worked for us for the last 8 years.
I can tell you the amount of money we have saved is tremendous.