Anti-Budget

How to use the Anti-Budget method in Forbidden Finance, the simplest budgeting approach that sets a savings target and lets you spend the rest.

Overview

The Anti-Budget is exactly what it sounds like: a budget for people who do not want to budget. You set a fixed savings target -- a specific dollar amount you want to save each month -- and then spend everything else however you like, no categories required. This is the simplest method Forbidden Finance offers, and it is available on the Free tier.

If tracking every purchase stresses you out, the Anti-Budget removes that friction. Your only job is to make sure your savings target is met. The rest of your money is yours to use without guilt or bookkeeping.

How to Set Up the Anti-Budget

Open the Budget Wizard

Navigate to Budget and tap Create Budget. Select Anti-Budget from the method list.

Enter your monthly income

Enter your total monthly take-home pay.

Set your savings target

Enter the fixed dollar amount you want to save each month. For example, $500.

Activate your budget

Review the summary and tap Activate. That is it -- your budget is live.

Reading Your Progress

The Anti-Budget screen shows three numbers:

Metric	What It Means
Savings target	The fixed amount you committed to saving
Auto-saved amount	Your income minus your expenses minus your target -- this is the buffer beyond your goal
Status	On track (expenses leave room for your target) or Behind (spending pace threatens your target)

The auto-saved amount shows you how much extra cushion you have beyond your savings target. If it is positive, you are saving even more than planned. If it dips negative, your spending is eating into your target.

Example Setup

You earn $4,500 per month and set a savings target of $600.

	Amount
Monthly income	$4,500
Savings target	$600
Available to spend	$3,900

By mid-month, you have spent $1,800. At that pace, your projected total spending is $3,600, leaving $900 for savings -- $300 more than your target. The auto-saved amount shows +$300, confirming you are ahead of plan.

Who This Method Works For

The Anti-Budget is ideal if:

You find traditional budgets overwhelming or tedious.
Your income comfortably covers your expenses and you just want to make sure you save something.
You prefer freedom in your day-to-day spending decisions.
You are building a savings habit and want the lowest-friction way to start.

If you want the same concept but based on a percentage of income instead of a fixed amount, consider Pay Yourself First.

Tips

Choose a savings target you can hit consistently. A smaller target you meet every month is more effective than an ambitious one you miss. Increase it over time as your habits solidify.

Pair the Anti-Budget with a savings goal. Even though this method does not track spending categories, linking it to a goal gives you a clear picture of your progress toward something specific.

The Anti-Budget gives you minimal visibility into where your money goes. If you notice your savings target slipping and you are not sure why, switching to a method with category tracking (like 50/30/20 or Envelope) can help you find the problem.