8 Best Hacks for Your Simplifi Spending Plan

Your life isn’t one-size-fits-all, your budget shouldn’t be either.

Some months, it’s school supplies and birthday parties. Other months, it’s car repairs and “oops, forgot about that subscription.” That’s real life, and it rarely fits into perfect budgeting boxes.

That’s where Quicken Simplifi’s Spending Plan really shines. It’s built to flex with your reality, not fight against it. Whether your income fluctuates, your expenses surprise you, or your goals shift over time, Simplifi gives you the tools to stay in control without starting over.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 8 flexible hacks that help you fine-tune your Spending Plan to work with your lifestyle. No stress. No rigidity. Just smart, simple ways to make your budget feel like it was built just for you, because it was.

1. How can I change the “available spending” in Quicken Simplifi?

It’s the last week of the month, and Simplifi says you can still spend $400. You don’t have to spend it all, but that extra $400 is a little too tempting. What do you do?

The trick: Hide that cash by contributing it to a Savings Goal.

Any time you want to hide some extra Spending Plan cash so you don’t spend it, just move it into a Savings Goal. 

If you want to create one just for this:

• Give it a high goal amount
• Don’t set a target goal date
• Set the monthly contribution to $1
• Choose Yes, set aside to include it in your Spending Plan.

Then, when you make the contribution, hide any amount you want to — you can always contribute more than your $1 goal.

Don’t worry, the money will still be in your bank account. You’ll just trick yourself into spending less than you’re making.

Quicken Simplifi lets you set spending goals.

2. How can I plan my budget around bills that change?

Is your gas bill higher in the winter? Does your water bill skyrocket when you fill your pool in the spring? Make sure those jumbo-sized bills are always covered!

The trick: Change your expected bill amount.

Find that bill in your bills and subscriptions list and adjust the expected amount to make sure it’s high enough. Simplifi will set that money aside in your Spending Plan. 

It’s also a good idea to set that recurring bill to Match any amount. Then, when the bill is paid, Simplifi will match it and adjust to the actual amount automatically.

To edit a recurring series, go into the Simplifi menu and choose Settings > All Recurring. In the list of recurring bills, just tap or click the three dots to the right of any recurring bill or subscription and choose Edit series.

3. How can I plan ahead for large expenses?

Let’s say you’ve been setting money aside for something big like a vacation or a new car, and now it’s time to spend it. How can you let Simplifi know you’re not blowing your spending limit?

The trick: Ignore that spending from your Spending Plan.

If you want a certain expense not to count against your monthly spending, find it in your transaction list and check the option to ignore it from your Spending Plan. Simplifi will remove it from your Spending Plan calculations so you can see what you have left to spend without taking that big transaction into account.

Will that mess up your data? Not at all. Simplifi still includes it in your overall spending, and the expense will show up in your reports — so you can always see your real totals.

BONUS TIP: For large bills that only happen once or twice a year, like property taxes or insurance premiums, set up a Savings Goal and make monthly contributions to it. When the bill comes due, you’ll have the money tucked away and ready to go!

4. How can I make sure I don’t spend money I need?

Do you have something big coming up later this month, like the kids’ soccer club fees or a treat-yourself spa day? How can you make sure you don’t accidentally spend the money you’ll need?

The trick: Add that amount to your planned spending.

In your Spending Plan, you can create a one-time planned expense for anything you need. Simplifi will set that money aside so you’ll have it when you need it.

If the actual amount ends up being lower than you expected, you can go back to your planned spending and tell Quicken Simplifi to release the extra funds. Simplifi will put that balance back into your available-to-spend amount.

5. How can I plan for expenses that aren’t technically bills?

Your groceries might not technically be a monthly bill, but they might as well be. How can you make sure your Spending Plan sets aside enough for those charcuterie boards and that delicious baked feta pasta?

The trick: Create a Planned Spending expense.

Capture monthly expenses that don’t come in as regular bills by adding recurring planned expenses. Simplifi will include them in your Spending Plan automatically.

If you’re not sure how much money to set aside, Simplifi can help with that too. Choose the category of your planned expense, and Simplifi will display your average spending in that category as an easy guideline.

Add more if you want to have a bit more flexibility in grocery splurges, or less if you’re trying to bring that spending down. The choice is always yours.

6. How can I plan ahead for unexpected expenses?

Now that your groceries are covered, what about the random things that seem to crop up every month? Like that special shirt to impress your new boss? Or that self-propelled cat toy on TikTok Shop? How can you plan for the unexpected?

The trick: There’s no need to do anything. Simplifi’s got you covered.

Let’s face it, it’s impossible to plan for everything. One of the best things about the Simplifi app is that it’s built for the real world — with all the unpredictability that comes with it. 

Instead of forcing you to add a separate planned spending item for every possible thing that could happen, Simplifi lets you keep your plans flexible.

Because let’s face it, life isn’t all that plannable.

Add your bills and subscriptions, then add other expenses like groceries and gas. For the rest, make those choices as you go. Simplifi lets you spend your money on whatever comes up, from that fancy bottle of wine to new tires for your car.

The whole point of Simplifi’s Spending Plan is to help you make the choices that work best for you — so you can cover your bills, plan for the future, and live your best life.

7. How can I manage large bills I only pay once each year?

Big yearly bills like insurance premiums or car registration can sneak up and wreck a solid month. They don’t come often, but when they do, they hit hard.

The trick: Turn those once-a-year costs into monthly contributions.

Instead of waiting for a $600 insurance bill to drop in November, create a Savings Goal and set aside $50 a month all year long. Simplifi will show that amount as “set aside” in your Spending Plan, so when the bill hits, you’re ready.

No more scrambling. No more surprises.

8. How can I make sure my income will line up with my bills?

If you get paid every two weeks, your income might not line up perfectly with your monthly bills. That mismatch can make your budget feel off, even when you’re not overspending.

The trick: Use Simplifi’s Projected Cash Flow view to see how your paychecks line up with your bills.

Simplifi shows your upcoming income and expenses on a timeline, so you know when money is coming in—and when it’s going out. That helps you plan your spending week by week, not just month by month.

You’ll avoid overdrafts, stop second-guessing your balance, and feel more in control.

How can I keep my budget on track?

Life changes. So should your budget.

With Quicken Simplifi, you’re not locked into rigid rules or a fixed template. You’re building a system that grows and flexes with you — your income, your spending patterns, your priorities. These 9 hacks aren’t loopholes — they’re proof that your budget can be just as dynamic as your real life.

Simplifi’s Spending Plan doesn’t just track what you’ve spent — it helps you shape where you’re going, in a way that feels sustainable, not stressful.So keep tweaking.
Keep fine-tuning.
And let your budget flex with your future — not against it.