How to Set Aside Money for Next Month (and Finally Get Ahead)
YNAB’s third question helps you stop living paycheck to paycheck by funding future expenses with today’s dollars.
You’re Not Alone If You’re Always Catching Up
It’s a familiar cycle: payday hits, the bills go out, and what’s left barely gets you through. By the time the next check arrives, you’re starting from zero again—or worse, in the red.
Most people live like this not because they’re bad with money, but because they’ve never had the tools—or mindset—to plan ahead.
At Master Budget Coaching, we’ve helped hundreds of clients break free from this cycle using a deceptively simple shift built into YNAB’s method: Set aside money for next month’s spending—starting this month.
Why Living Paycheck to Paycheck Feels So Exhausting
When you’re only thinking about today’s bills, you’re constantly in reaction mode. Emergencies hit harder. There’s no room for surprises. Even “fun” money feels stressful when it’s competing with groceries or gas.
Worse, this mindset often leads to:
- Reliance on credit cards or overdrafts
- The feeling that you can’t plan for goals
- Budget burnout—because no system seems to work
The truth is, most budgeting tools are stuck in a monthly framework. But real life doesn’t happen in monthly boxes. YNAB gives you a way out.
How YNAB Helps You Fund Next Month with This Month’s Dollars
YNAB’s third question asks:
“What can I set aside for next month’s spending?”
This isn’t about perfection or even covering 100% of next month’s costs overnight. It’s about building a buffer—bit by bit—so you’re always spending money you’ve already earned.
1. Use Category Groups to Plan Ahead
Create a group labeled “Next Month” and begin assigning dollars—even just $10 or $25—to categories you know are coming (rent, groceries, etc.).
2. Build the Habit Slowly
Don’t wait until everything else is covered. Start with small wins—like next month’s water bill or subscriptions. Success builds momentum.
3. Track Your Progress with YNAB’s Age of Money
YNAB calculates how long your money has “aged” before it gets spent. The older it gets, the further ahead you are. As you fund more of next month in advance, this number will climb.
4. Use YNAB’s Reporting Tools
YNAB makes it easy to see how much you’ve pre-funded upcoming categories. If you need help getting started, their guide on aging your money is a must-read:
What is Age of Money? – YNAB
What Life Looks Like When You’re a Month Ahead
Picture this:
- It’s the last week of the month. You’re not stressed. You’re already funded for rent, utilities, groceries, and even a date night.
- You get paid—and instead of scrambling to pay bills, you calmly assign that money to next month’s plan.
- Emergencies are less disruptive. Unexpected expenses don’t derail your goals.
- You finally feel in control—not because you make more money, but because you’re managing what you have with clarity and purpose.
One client recently told us:
“I didn’t realize how much anxiety was tied to always starting over. Now, I get paid and it’s like… peace.”
Start Moving Toward a One-Month Buffer—Today
Even if you’re barely getting by right now, you can start small.
Try setting aside just 1% of your paycheck toward next month’s needs. Then 2%. Then 5%.
Every dollar you pre-fund buys you peace of mind.
Want help designing a plan that works with your real life and real income? That’s what we do at Master Budget Coaching.
Internal Link
This kind of forward-looking financial security builds on the foundation you created when you gave every dollar a job.
If you haven’t already, check out this foundational post on YNAB’s first question:
What Does This Money Need to Do Before You’re Paid Again?
About the Author
Trent Ladle is the founder of Master Budget Coaching and a YNAB Certified Coach with degrees in Business Management and an MBA. With nearly 40 years of budgeting experience, he helps clients build values-based spending plans—guided by the belief that when you master your spending, you master your life.
Want to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck?
We’ll help you create a custom YNAB setup that lets you confidently assign dollars ahead of time—so next month doesn’t catch you off guard.
