Set monthly budgets that stick
Create monthly category limits (e.g., Groceries €400) and watch progress update as you spend. Instantly see what’s left and adjust limits anytime.
Reviewed by GoTaskhub Team · Last updated
Category limits with progress bars and remaining amounts. Adjust anytime.
Set limits per category
Define clear monthly limits for categories like Groceries, Transport, Utilities, and Housing. Short, stable category lists make it easier to track patterns and avoid fragmentation (for instance, grouping all streaming services under Subscriptions). You can tailor the list to your household and keep it consistent month-to-month so your totals are comparable. This keeps budgeting practical and helps you focus on the handful of areas that actually move the needle.
Track progress automatically
As you log expenses, the progress bars fill and the remaining amounts adjust in real time. This feedback loop nudges better decisions without requiring spreadsheets or manual calculations. If a category is running hot, you’ll catch it early—often early enough to steer the rest of the month. Pair it with weekly check-ins for a quick, five-minute budgeting ritual that actually sticks.
Adjust anytime (without losing history)
Plans change. If you need to increase Groceries or trim Dining Out mid-month, just edit the limit—your history stays intact and the progress recalculates instantly. This flexibility avoids the classic “blown budget” spiral. Instead, you adapt targets to reality and keep momentum, building a budgeting habit that’s durable in the long run.
How it works
Create monthly limits, log expenses, and stay confidently within budget.
Choose categories
Start with the essentials that actually drive your monthly spend—Groceries, Utilities, Transport, Housing, and a catch-all for Miscellaneous. Keep names short and stable so year-over-year comparisons remain meaningful. You can refine later if a category consistently hides big sub-items (e.g., split Subscriptions if it masks overspend).
Set monthly limits
Pick amounts you can stick to, not aspirational targets. Use last month’s totals as a baseline and trim modestly rather than drastically. You’ll get better results with several months of small improvements than a single, unsustainable slash.
Log expenses
Record purchases as you go or batch once a day. Each entry updates progress bars and remaining amounts instantly. Add a short note (store or reason) to make later reviews effortless. Consistency beats perfection—quick entries keep the system alive.
Review & adjust
Check in weekly: scan categories, spot hotspots, and nudge limits if priorities shifted (guests in town, new commute, etc.). Wrap up the month by comparing against plan, then set next month’s limits with what you learned.
Do more with Home Finances
Budgets work best alongside expenses, savings goals, and household analytics.
Who this works best for
Busy families
Turn weekly shops and recurring bills into predictable categories. Share a live view with your partner without sharing bank logins.
Solo households
Create a calm plan for fixed bills and flexible spend. Small, steady improvements beat overhaul budgets that never last.
Side-hustlers
Keep personal and business budgets separate but visible in one workspace (with permissions). Plan for tax and savings with Goals.
Example monthly budgets
A few common category limits to get started:
Groceries
- €400
- Weekly shop + top-ups
Transport
- €120
- Fuel or public transit
Utilities
- €180
- Electricity, gas, water, internet
Dining Out
- €120
- Meals & coffee outside
Subscriptions
- €40
- Streaming & cloud storage
Miscellaneous
- €100
- Gifts, odds & ends
GoTaskhub vs envelopes & spreadsheets
| Feature | GoTaskhub Budgets | Cash envelopes / Spreadsheets |
|---|---|---|
| Live progress | Automatic with each expense | Manual math & updates |
| Adjust mid-month | One edit; history intact | Rewrite sheets or re-label envelopes |
| Household sharing | Invite partner with permissions | Passbook or shared file hassles |
| Analytics | Built-in trends by category | DIY charts & pivots |
| Portability | Clean CSV exports | Often messy formats |
Pros & cons of GoTaskhub Budgets
Pros
- Real-time progress and remaining amounts
- Mid-month edits without breaking history
- Works with Expenses, Goals, Analytics
- CSV export keeps your data portable
Cons
- Requires a quick weekly check-in for best results
- Advanced analytics available with Pro
Security & privacy
Permissions
Invite a partner with the right level of access—view or edit. Each workspace is permissioned, so you stay in control.
Data ownership
Export to CSV anytime for backups or analysis. No lock-in—your budgeting history is yours to keep.
Glossary
- Budget limit
- The maximum you plan to spend in a category this month.
- Remaining
- Budget limit minus the sum of category expenses so far.
- Roll-over
- Carrying leftover amount to the next month’s plan.
What users say
Emma L.
Manchester, UK
“The remaining amounts make it obvious where to slow down. We’re finally under budget two months in a row.”
Luca P.
Milan, IT
“Editing limits mid-month is a lifesaver. No guilt spiral—just adjust and keep going.”
Sofia R.
Lisbon, PT
“Budgets + Analytics made our grocery plan realistic. We save ~€90/month without feeling it.”
Frequently asked questions
How do Home Budgets work?
Create a monthly limit per category (like Groceries, Transport, Utilities). As you log expenses, your progress bars update and you’ll see remaining amounts at a glance.
Can I change limits mid-month?
Yes. You can edit any category limit anytime without losing history. Adjustments reflect immediately in progress and remaining amounts.
Is this included in the free plan?
Home Finances (including Home Budgets) is part of GoTaskhub Pro. You can start free and upgrade anytime.
Will I see analytics for budgets?
Yes. Combine budgets with Home Analytics to see category trends month-to-month and plan ahead.
Do budgets roll over to the next month?
You can choose a clean reset each month (recommended) or manually adjust the next month’s limit to carry over leftover amounts. This keeps month-to-month comparisons simple.
Can I share a household budget with a partner?
Yes. Invite them to your workspace with view or edit permissions. Both of you see live progress and remaining amounts—no shared bank logins required.
Do you support multiple currencies in budgets?
Set a primary currency for budgets and record expenses in that currency for accurate progress bars. If you have mixed-currency transactions, note the currency in the expense and apply an equivalent amount when needed.
Can I set alerts when I’m close to the limit?
You can review progress bars and remaining amounts at a glance. For proactive control, schedule quick weekly reviews and use Analytics to spot hot categories early.
Can I import starting balances or planned amounts?
Yes. Enter a planned limit per category at the start of the month. If you have historical spend, import a CSV to inform realistic targets going forward.
Related features
Try Home Budgets today
Start free in minutes. Upgrade to Pro for the full Home Finances suite.