# Assigning Future Income: An Overview > When using YNAB, you only assign the dollars you have on hand right now. This article explains how to look at upcoming expenses without assigning future income. Source: https://support.ynab.com/en_us/assigning-future-income-an-overview-BJsTo0jCq Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:22:15.676Z Establish your plan using only the funds you have on hand right now, not anticipating future income. Learn how to utilize built-in features like Scheduled Transactions and targets to gain clarity on upcoming inflows and expenses, aiding in better financial decisions. Experience less financial stress with the practice of getting a month ahead and avoiding negative balances in future months by ensuring your current month's plan is not over-assigned. #### In This Article [Schedule Future Income Transactions](#schedule) [Getting a Month Ahead](#ahead) * * * ## Schedule Future Income Transactions The real power of YNAB—to make good decisions with your money and use it to live the life you want—comes from only using what you currently have. Of course, it's important to plan for **what's next.** You won't assign future income, but you can still anticipate its effect and set yourself up for success.  YNAB has built-in tools—[Scheduled Transactions](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/scheduled-transactions-a-guide-BygrAIFA9) and [Targets](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-started-with-targets-ryAEP08xC)—that will help you plan for this month, and all the months to come. Setting up these scheduled transactions gives you clarity into your upcoming inflows and expenses, and the more clarity you have, the better spending and saving decisions you can make. It doesn't matter when you receive your next paycheck, you'll know **exactly** where those dollars are needed as soon as they're in your account. Here's how to [create a plan template](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/creating-a-plan-template-ByZJZx_R9) using scheduled transactions and targets. [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Getting a Month Ahead ### iOS After you've used YNAB for a while, you may find that Ready to Assign has more than you need in the current month. Good news! You can [assign those dollars in future months](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-a-month-ahead-a-guide-HJidy13C5). And if it turns out you need some of those dollars you assigned in the future in the current month instead? No problem! You can [use money assigned in the future to cover this month's overspending](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/overspending-in-ynab-a-guide-ryWoxEyi#cover).  ### Android After you've used YNAB for a while, you may find that Ready to Assign has more than you need in the current month. Good news! You can [assign those dollars in future months](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-a-month-ahead-a-guide-HJidy13C5). And if it turns out you need some of those dollars you assigned in the future in the current month instead? No problem! Go to the future month’s plan and [move money](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/moving-money-in-your-plan-ryyCKbBJi) from spending categories back to Ready to Assign. When you return to the current month’s plan, you’ll notice those dollars available in Ready to Assign. #### Future Assigning and Ready to Assign If this month’s Ready to Assign is $0.00 and you forget to un-assign money **in the future** before assigning more money in the current month’s plan, the future month’s [Ready to Assign will turn negative](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/when-ready-to-assign-is-negative-an-overview-HylZA0zCc). To get things back on track, head to the future month's plan and move money from your spending categories back to Ready to Assign until it reaches $0.00. ### Web After you've used YNAB for a while, you may find that Ready to Assign has more than you need in the current month. Good news! You can [assign those dollars in future months](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/getting-a-month-ahead-a-guide-HJidy13C5). And if it turns out you need some of those dollars you assigned in the future in the current month instead? No problem! You can [use money assigned in the future to cover this month's overspending](https://support.ynab.com/en_us/overspending-in-ynab-a-guide-ryWoxEyi#cover).  [Back to Top](#backtotop) * * * ## Help Us Help You! Our Knowledge Base team reviews article feedback responses weekly, and we actively revise these articles to make them as helpful as possible. That's where you come in! Our articles are scored based on the _Yes_ or _No_ ratings received below. We also collect freeform feedback for any _No_ ratings (so our team can focus in on what you were specifically searching for!). **Success**: Found what you were searching for? It would be super helpful if you click _Yes_ below. **Suggestions**: Didn't find what you're searching for and you'd like to share what terms or topics you wanted? Click _No_ below. 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