I’ve been trying to get my finances in order for a while. I’ve been looking up different software to help me budget, but I can’t find privacy respecting software besides Firefly III, which is self hosted. I usually try to find a few options then evaluate from there, but was wondering if you guys had any recommendations to throw in the mix!
No disrespect, you honestly first need to understand the theory of budgeting and then you can practice.
Trying to find a program to assist you is really just something to distract you.
All you need is a free excel type program.
The physical action of looking at your bank statements and transcribing that data into your excel budget by hand enforces spending discipline and spending awareness.
Once you have everything in order and you are able to prove to yourself that you are financially stable, then integrating program assistance makes sense.
I completely disagree, to be honest. I don’t understand how making a budget has a necessary prerequisite of manually inputting and categorizing transactions into a spreadsheet, or how that builds character in a way that’s relevant to saving money. I want a program because my finances became more complicated recently and I don’t have time to input my transactions from my bank into a spreadsheet and categorize them every day.
Lol, I started writing a six paragraph replay and had to delete it.
You are probably financially literate enough where my statements above is just common sense to you and you don’t feel it is necessary to do extra work for something you already have a handle on.
To others just starting out, they may not know anything about personal finance or money. My statements above is a great starting point.
To someone who may be bad with money they need to practice a budget and the act of transcribing data forces them to digest and comprehend their spending decisions. If their budget is automated it is easier to overlook spending or disregard transactions because they are not engaged with their budget or spending habits.
I don’t mind that you have a differing opinion. Everyone’s finances and level of competency is different. But you have to start somewhere I guess.
I did write my initial post like Im starting from nowhere. I do appreciate trying to get me in on the basics!