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

# Build a monthly budget

> Build a monthly Miyo budget, plan category spending, compare assigned amounts with activity, and carry a useful plan into the next month.

The monthly budget answers: **What does this month's income need to cover?** Miyo keeps category spending and longer-term savings goals in the same planning area without treating them as the same thing.

## Create your first plan

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the current month">
    Open **Plan your money** and select **Monthly budget**. Confirm the month shown in the header.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add required categories first">
    Add amounts for housing, utilities, minimum debt payments, groceries, transportation, and other commitments you expect this month.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add flexible spending">
    Plan categories such as dining, shopping, and entertainment after required costs. You can edit an amount when priorities change.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review unbudgeted spending">
    Check **Spent without a budget**. Add a budget where the spending is expected, or recategorize transactions that landed in the wrong place.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the full plan">
    Compare planned categories, goals, and estimated income. A plan can be mathematically complete and still need adjustment if income or bills are stale.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Move between months

Use the month arrows in the header. Miyo lets you plan up to one month ahead. When the new month begins, you can copy the previous month's budget amounts instead of rebuilding every category.

<Tip>
  Copying a month copies planned amounts, not the meaning of recent spending. Review one-time bills, seasonal expenses, and changed income before keeping the copied plan.
</Tip>

## Simple and Advanced modes

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Simple">
    Use category amounts and spending progress with fewer planning controls. This is the default and fits a straightforward monthly plan.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Advanced">
    Advanced mode can add rollover balances, flexible category groups such as Needs/Wants/Savings, savings envelopes, and move-money controls.

    Switching back to **Simple** hides advanced controls but does not delete the stored advanced data.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## When the numbers do not reconcile

1. Filter **Transactions** to **Uncategorized**.
2. Check transfers that may be recorded as expenses.
3. Confirm the selected month and timezone.
4. Review manual account activity you have not entered yet.
5. Check for a linked institution with a sync error.

<Card title="Use category targets" icon="target" href="/planning/category-targets">
  Add a repeatable funding rule or save toward an amount by a date when targets are available.
</Card>