Every bill is either a Need (you can't live without it) or a Want (nice to have). Beyond Payday uses that label to split your bill totals into needs and wants, to filter and sort your bill list, and to decide which bills Save money lists as ones you could cut. It doesn't change what you pay or your total bills.
How it works
Where you set it: in the bill form, under Need or Want?. The choice appears only for categories where either answer makes sense.
Categories that are always a need: Mortgage Payment, HOA / Condo Fee, Utilities, Health Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Renters Insurance, Auto Insurance, Child Support, Alimony, Court-Ordered Payments, Childcare & Daycare, Taxes, and Quarterly Estimated Taxes.
Categories that are always a want: retirement, investment, and savings contributions, Entertainment, Subscriptions, Travel, Gym & Fitness, Gifts, Donations & Charity, Pet Care, Extended Warranty / Protection Plan, and Credit Card Annual Fee.
Where the label shows up:
- Dashboard: the Bills card splits your total into Needs and Wants.
- Bills: the Insights tab has a Needs vs Wants chart. The Needs/Wants filter shows Needs Only or Wants Only, and the Needs First sort puts needs at the top.
- Save money: wants in optional categories are listed under Could you cut these?
- What-if planner: results compare monthly bills split into needs and wants.
An example with real numbers
Say you have three monthly bills: rent at $1,500 (Need), a phone plan at $80 (Need), and streaming services at $45 (always a Want).
- Needs: $1,500 + $80 = $1,580 a month
- Wants: $45 a month
- Total bills: $1,625 a month
Switching the phone plan to Want moves $80 from Needs to Wants. Your total bills and Money Left Over stay the same.
Assumptions and limits
- The label is yours to set for most categories. Beyond Payday doesn't judge whether a bill is really essential.
- A bill that's turned off isn't counted in either total.
- Only the personal share of a bill split with a business counts in your personal needs and wants.
FAQ
Why can't I choose Need or Want for some bills? Some categories are fixed. Mortgage, HOA, utilities, required insurance, taxes, childcare, and court-ordered payments are always needs, and categories like entertainment, subscriptions, travel, and savings contributions are always wants.
Does marking a bill as a want change my Money Left Over? No. Money Left Over subtracts all of your bills, needs and wants alike. The label only changes how that total is split.
FAQ
Why can't I choose Need or Want for some bills?
Some categories are fixed. Mortgage, HOA, utilities, required insurance, taxes, childcare, and court-ordered payments are always needs, and categories like entertainment, subscriptions, travel, and savings contributions are always wants.
Does marking a bill as a want change my Money Left Over?
No. Money Left Over subtracts all of your bills, needs and wants alike. The label only changes how that total is split.