Money PlaylistTHE MONEY PLAYLIST GUIDE
How to split your monthly money into goals
Decide one monthly amount, list the jobs you want that money to do: an emergency cushion, paying down debt, a named savings goal, or learning before you invest, and give each job a dollar amount until nothing is left unassigned. Then review once a month.
A money playlist is a monthly amount split into named channels, each with a dollar amount the person chooses. It is a way to write down your choices, rather than a recommended allocation.
Give each goal a name
A name connects an amount to a purpose. “Kitchen repair” tells you more than “savings.” Separate channel names make it easier to see what each amount is for and to revisit that choice when circumstances change.
Turn a target into a monthly amount
The arithmetic is straightforward: target ÷ months = monthly amount.
$1,200 ÷ 12 months = $100 a month
That example describes a goal and a timeline, not an amount everyone needs to set aside. If an amount does not fit the monthly total you chose, the target, timeline or channel amounts can be edited. The planner's “about N months” label divides the target by the channel amount and rounds up. It does not track a starting balance or account for anything beyond those two numbers.
An emergency cushion
An emergency channel names money set aside for unexpected costs. Its target and monthly amount are yours to choose; this tool supplies no rule about how many months to cover. For official consumer information, read the CFPB's essential guide to building an emergency fund.
Paying down debt
A debt channel records an amount you choose to put toward an existing debt. It does not calculate repayment schedules or replace payment terms, statements or required payments. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is an official source for consumer finance information and help.
Learning before investing
A learning channel can represent an amount you choose for education, including zero. We do not pick investments. Learn the basics from the SEC's Introduction to Investing at investor.gov, then decide for yourself.
Review once a month
Check what changed, edit the amounts and check the monthly mix. An unassigned balance is money without a channel; “Over by” means the channel amounts total more than the monthly amount. Tick off the moves you actually made. A checkbox only records progress; it does not make a payment or transfer.
Questions about the method
How do I turn a goal into a monthly amount?
Divide the goal target by the number of months. A $1,200 goal over 12 months is $100 a month. This is simple goal arithmetic, not a recommendation.
Does a money playlist move my money?
No. A money playlist records the dollar amounts you choose. Any money moves happen outside the tool.
What if my monthly amount changes?
Edit your monthly amount and channel amounts, then check the unassigned balance. Review the plan again next month.