Plan your next 12 months
Build a realistic forecast, find potential savings and spot the months that need a buffer.
See what your income and spending could leave you with over the next 12 months. Start with the full month you reviewed, then account for the costs and changes still to come. You can also build a plan manually without connecting a bank.
Set the period and income
Write down the first and last month of your forecast: for example, November 2026 to October 2027. Use 12 full months so a partial current month does not distort the comparison.
Open Cashflow. On desktop, choose Planning only in the view menu. In the current native iOS app, Plan what’s coming opens forecast setup when offered; otherwise open the planning view. Add expected take-home income with the correct amount, frequency and payment dates. Use income you reasonably expect, rather than a hoped-for bonus.
Build a realistic year of costs
Add housing, food, transport, bills, debt repayments and other commitments. Use the month you categorised as a starting point, adjusting for anything unusual rather than copying it blindly.
Include annual insurance, rates, registrations, holidays and other irregular costs in the months they fall due. Check every frequency, start date and end date. A fortnightly payment is not twice a month. Include planned changes such as a rent increase or a period of lower income.
Read all 12 months
Review each month’s planned income less planned spending, including any negative months. On desktop, Timeline shows the selected calendar year; if your 12 months cross a year boundary, review both years. A calendar-year total is not automatically your next-12-month total.
Add the net results for only your chosen 12 months. This is projected cash surplus or shortfall under your assumptions. Check any existing saving transfers or goal allocations before calling the remainder additional savings; do not count the same money twice.
Look for months when costs exceed income. Check their timing against the cash you expect to have available. A positive annual total can still contain a month that needs a buffer.
Check one change against the same period
Correct any missing or unrealistic item first. Then, if useful, test one change you could actually make: a regular cost, a one-off purchase or a payment date. Compare the same 12 months and check the tight months again.
Keep the forecast you intend to use. Record its date, the projected net result and any assumptions still uncertain, so your next review has a clear starting point.
You’re finished when…
You can state the 12-month date range, its projected cash surplus or shortfall, and which months need attention. You know which assumptions matter and whether planned savings are already allocated. A forecast is a possibility to review, not a guaranteed saving or permission to spend.
Finding the planning view
On desktop, open the Cashflow view menu and choose Planning only.
In the current native iOS app, choose Plan what’s coming when quick setup is offered. Existing releases may use Plan upcoming spending. Add income and spending, then check the result in Cashflow. Android and older app labels can differ; follow the planning controls in your installed version.
Why this works
Moolah gives you a living picture of your money. Start with the biggest pieces, then improve it as you learn more. A projection is an expectation based on your plan; it is not your bank balance or proof that money is available to spend.
How Moolah connects your money explains the bigger picture.
Next: Read your Cashflow to understand the difference between your plan and what actually happened.