Money Manager Ex. It saves the file as a SQLite database, which makes it easy to parse. I have a couple python scripts that extract the numbers, and generate a JSON file with numbers, png graphs using matplotlib, and I have another module that takes the generated graphs, numbers, and a latex template, and generate a nice PDF.
For instance, when the script finds a brokerage account, it separates out deposits / withdrawals from actual P/L to calculate true time weighted returns.
Budget-wise, I look at it on a yearly basis. This is important because some significant expenses have an annual frequency (practice insurance, housing insurance, etc), or bi-annual frequency (car insurance…) And some expenses are discrete frequencies throughout the year (vacation, etc…)
It requires more discipline than on a monthly basis, but the reasoning behind it is if we spend more than we earn on a given month, it is not necessarily bad, because it might just be the month we went on vacation, or the month we had our yearly insurance premium. The important goal is to spend less than we earn on average . So over the long run wealth accumulates naturally. Short term deviations are not important as long as our long term lifestyle is aligned with our income.
So your python scripts extract from PDF statements? Did you use a pre-made template and customized it or did you program it from scratch? I track monthly by copy pasting/transcribing from the monthly statements - it takes me about an hour a month on a Saturday or Sunday to fill out and then another hour of contemplating spending.
The other way around, I use the script to generate a PDF based on the money Manager Ex file (which is in SQLite format).
Fortunately I am able to download a CSV from most financial institutions, so I never have to parse their pdf.
My workflow is
download all CSVs and import in money Manager Ex
categorize spending within the software, reconcile transactions, etc
run the script against the money Manager Ex file to generate a PDF.
I am surprised you have to copy paste from your monthly statements? Is it possible that on your banks portal, deep into the menus you have an option to download as CSV?
A round-up wouldn’t be a significant investment, and I could use the card selectively. This would be a fun and effective way to passively budget/invest.
Spreadsheet (Numbers) for the monthly estimate and reconciliation. MoneyWiz for more detailed manual tracking/calculations. And for some reason I do still use checkbook registers as well.
Sticking with budgeting is really my downfall - I’ve jumped around so many approaches but really struggle with maintaining the habit. Currently I use a self hosted version of actual, which I do like!
Used to use gnucash on Linux desktop for a goooood long while. I wanted nicer reports so I shopped around with homebank (one developer so slow development but very nice project!) and tried money dance (didn’t like it, though I tried really hard). Eventually tried my own spreadsheets and apsire budget but finally settled on YNAB because I need a hands-off approach as I’m so busy.
I reconcile accounts every few days and auto-sync my banks with plaid (YMMV on how much you’re into that) and it works for me. I’m happy paying the subscription but if it ever goes to US$150/yr I’m probably going to quit it.
Gnucash desktop for almost a decade. I use the Gnucash app on the go to log entries id otherwise forget (e.g cash exchanges without receipts)
There was also Aspire Budget thats used to be a free spreadsheet but going on the site now it seems theyve added a subcription charge for something. I never used it so dont know its worth
Ever since YNABs price hike I wanted to have an alternative, but all were not really up there yet. For a few weeks, I am using ActualBudget which has been open-sourced by the developer and is actively maintained, including the „recently“ introduced support for goals :)
It‘s mooostly the same, except for the web app not yet being too mobile friendly. It works in horizontal orientation, though :) The sync via nordigen (goCardless now) also works properly.
Its basically like nYNAB when it launched, which was perfect for me. As of now, their [ynab’s] UI is getting more and more cluttered :) I can only recommend giving it a spin.
Okay, well maybe you don’t but most people benefit from having one. The difference between tracking your expenses and deliberately planning what your money needs to do for you.
There’s a thing called the envelope system, or zero-based budgeting, which basically means helps you assign the moneybags you have now, to the expenses you know you’ll have. “What does this money need to do until I get paid again?” It’s a whole thing, and it works really well.
I don’t know how to link to communities but search for /c/ynab (or if you like, also /r/ynab over on that other site).
Agreed. I wish it was cheaper. Although now with YNAB Together my partner and I can share an account and my sister also agreed to have her budget. (I can technically peek as account manager but I’ve promised I won’t and we’re close enough that it’s not an issue.) But now it’s $30/each!
I use a google spreadsheet (to have it synced across devices) for manual transactions with physical money. zthat, and the digital transactions from my banks I aggregate in GnuCash about every quarter or so.
A spreadsheet, it compares against monthly trends, and splits the transactions by type. It also tracks shares, and debts.
plus I “compete” with 2 mates to see who spends the least month on month. They are super tight though, so it’s hard for me. I did win June though, first win since March 2022
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