Introduction

Budgetwise is a budgeting app built on one idea: you should know what you can actually spend, not just what’s in the bank.

How it works

When money comes in, it goes into Left to Budget. From there, you distribute it across categories like rent, groceries, and savings. When Left to Budget reaches zero, all your money is accounted for.

When you spend, the money comes out of the category. If a category is empty, you stop spending there or move money from somewhere else.

Core concepts

Accounts vs. categories

• Accounts are where your money lives: checking, savings, credit cards, cash.
• Categories are what your money is for: rent, groceries, entertainment.

Your account balances tell you how much you have. Your category balances tell you how much you can spend.

Left to Budget

The holding area for money that hasn’t been assigned to a category yet. The goal is always zero:

• Positive means you have money to assign.
• Zero means all your money is accounted for.
• Negative means you’ve over-assigned. Move money back before spending.

Transactions

Every time money moves, you record a transaction. Expenses reduce a category balance. Income adds to Left to Budget. Transfers move money between accounts without affecting categories.

Next steps

New here? Start with the Quick Start guide to set up your first budget.