Target Types

Not every category needs the same kind of target. A repeating bill, a weekly expense, a once-a-year cost, and a custom date-based goal are different jobs.

The controls in the target form #

No matter which type you choose, the target sheet starts with a common set of controls:

• Target Type
• Amount
• Start Month (optional)
• End Month (optional) or End Month (fixed to December) for yearly targets
• Cancel
• Save Target or Save Changes

When you are editing an existing target, the form also adds Delete Target… with these menu options:

• Delete Current Effective Target
• Delete Entire Target History

Targets cannot be edited from past months. If you open an older month, Common Cents treats the target as history instead of an editable setup.

Monthly #

Use Monthly when the category needs a recurring monthly amount.

This type can show these extra controls:

• Due Day (optional)
• Target Behavior

Monthly is usually the right fit for bills, subscriptions, or routine categories where each month should be funded on purpose.

Weekly #

Use Weekly when the category needs a repeating weekly amount.

This type swaps in:

• Weekly Day
• Target Behavior

Weekly targets are useful when the category behaves more like a weekly rhythm than a calendar-month bill.

Yearly #

Use Yearly when the goal belongs to one yearly total instead of a fresh monthly or weekly target.

The form treats the time range differently here:

• Start Month can set where the yearly range begins
• End Month is fixed to December in the current setup flow
• Target Behavior does not appear for yearly targets

This is the best fit for annual bills, holidays, or other once-a-year savings goals.

Custom #

Use Custom when the category needs a more specific date-based window.

This type can show:

• Due Month (optional)
• Due Day (optional)
• Start Month (optional)
• End Month (optional)

Custom targets are the most flexible option when the other built-in patterns are close, but not quite right.

Pick the type that matches the real job #

The best target type depends on what success looks like for that category.

• choose Monthly when the category should be funded on a monthly cycle
• choose Weekly when the category follows a weekly rhythm
• choose Yearly when you are building toward one yearly amount
• choose Custom when the timing needs a more specific range or due month

If the type is wrong, the target may still save, but the funding prompts will feel off because Common Cents is solving the wrong problem.