Is Rollover Budgeting Holding You Back?

Discover a more flexible approach to gain a big picture

Use Zoom-Out Budget to Gain Big Picture

At the start of each year, thousands of people look for ways to plan their budgets for the year, aiming to put their finances in a safety net.

I often hear people requesting a “rollover” budgeting feature in budget apps. I understand the intent — they want to ensure their total expenses stay within budget over an extended period, seeking a clearer, bigger picture of their finances.

But, do you really need a “rollover” function?

The answer is “NO”.

While many apps tout this feature as an advantage, it’s often cumbersome for users. As they move to the next budget period, they become immersed in that specific timeframe, losing sight of the past and future. This defeats the purpose of gaining the “big picture” they were initially seeking.

Let me say this loud and clear: the rollover feature is neither necessary nor useful. Apps offer it because they lack the flexibility to provide a better solution.

Here’s a better approach:

Build a holistic view of your budget by categorizing it into different time periods — weekly, monthly, quarterly, and yearly. I call this method “zoom-out budgeting” as opposed to “rollover budgeting”.

It’s like giving yourself a magnifier to view your finances at varying levels of detail, allowing you to maintain a clear and comprehensive perspective of your financial health.

Preview: A Zoom-Out Budgeting Example

Here’s how it works:

1. Set Up Monthly Budget Blocks: Start by defining budget amounts for each expense category in a monthly budget block. Assign values based on the level of control you want over your spending.
2. Create a Weekly View: Duplicate the monthly block to create a current weekly view. Assign budget values as 1/4 of the amounts set in the monthly block.
3. Expand to Quarterly and Annual Views: Similarly, clone the monthly block for quarterly and annual views, using multipliers of 3x and 12x, respectively.

The resulting “zoom-out” budgeting sheet will provide a comprehensive, big-picture view, as illustrated below:

my zoom-out budget view

Get The Template

The benefits of the zoom-out budgeting method are clear:

• Straightforward: Easy to set up and manage.
• Big Picture: Gain a comprehensive view of your finances.
• Flexible: Adaptable to suit your needs.

Fina Money is the only financial management tool that offers this level of flexibility. Whether you prefer to manage your transactions in a spreadsheet for free or subscribe to our premium features for automatic bank data integration in the US and Canada, Fina has you covered.

View and import the template here and start building your zoom-out budget today.

Enjoy managing your money with clarity and confidence!