Goals

A goal in Thrift is a promise to yourself about money you already have. It sets some aside on paper so you can watch it grow toward a target — without fragmenting your actual accounts.

Virtual earmarks

A goal is a virtual earmark: it reserves an amount toward something without a real transfer. Your account balance never moves — the money stays where it is and keeps counting toward net worth — while the goal tracks how much you’ve promised to it.

Contributions

You move a goal forward by contributing to it, and you can withdraw from it when plans change. The goal’s balance is the sum of those contributions, so it’s always traceable rather than a number you nudge by hand.

Progress and pace

Each goal shows how far along you are and whether you’re on pace for its target date — so “save for a trip” resolves into whether this month’s contribution keeps you on track.

Recurring contributions

Set a goal to receive a regular contribution and it funds itself on schedule, the same way a recurring bill posts itself.