Where do I enter money I plan to invest in the future?

Enter today’s assets as current investments, and future contributions as planned savings. Adding a holding’s future expected value to its current balance would make that money available too early.

Create the destination account in ACCOUNTS and INVESTMENTS, with its actual current holdings, even if the balance is zero. Then add the future contribution in AUTOMATIC SAVINGS and WITHDRAWALS with the intended amount, contributor and dates. Use the FUTURE currency mode if the amount is already quoted for its future start date.

With you or your spouse as contributor, the deposit is funded from household cash flow; enter the INCOMES or other transactions that supply that money. For money paid directly into the account by someone outside the household, such as an inheritance or gift, you can instead select Other as contributor.

For an employer plan already linked to a salary and contribution percentages, review that setup before adding separate savings so the same contributions are not duplicated.

AUTOMATIC SAVINGS and WITHDRAWALS will force the TIME MACHINE to make the deposits/withdrawals to accounts, but they are optional. The TIME MACHINE will calculate your net cash flow for the year, and any remaining cash after expenses and taxes will be deposited to your accounts according to your Deposit PRIORITIES. If you need money to cover a negative cash flow, the TIME MACHINE will withdraw from accounts using your Withdrawal PRIORITIES.