> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.setaside.money/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Fund Ahead

> Build breathing room with up to three payments’ worth set aside.

Fund Ahead helps you build toward **one, two, or three payments’ worth**, including the upcoming payment. It works with eligible target-based recurring Expenses billed monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually.

## Set your reserve

1. Set the payment amount and bill recurrence.
2. Choose one, two, or three payments.
3. For more than one payment, choose a **build-by date**.
4. Check your payment count, recurrence, and build-by date before saving.

The app suggests a build-by date three billing cycles ahead. Review it for your plan.

## A quarterly bill

For a \$600 quarterly bill with three payments selected:

| Part of the plan | Target |
| - | - |
| Upcoming payment | \$600 |
| Extra two payments | \$1,200 |
| Total goal | \$1,800 |

This is the goal, not money already funded. Coverage grows as money is actually set aside.

## Ordinary funding comes first

Everyday contributions are funded before additional reserves. The total Expense balance already includes its extra reserve; do not count that reserve twice.

Spending uses ordinary money first, then reserve money. Refunds and transfers update the balances together.

## Changing your mind

Reducing or removing Fund Ahead preserves existing money in the Expense. Use a transfer if you want to release it.

Fixed-contribution Expenses, savings Goals, and credit card reserves retain their existing controls. A missed build-by date remains visible, and later eligible funding works toward the remaining shortfall.

[Learn how funding works](/guides/funding-preview).


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