Orientation Track

Getting started with Budget Buddy

Follow this guided path to launch your workspace, import historical data, and build momentum with daily logging. Each step mirrors the production app so you can complete onboarding in under an hour.

Need help?

Use the in-app help panel to chat with support if you hit a blocker. Agents see your current step so they can guide you without extra context.

Protect sensitive data

When recording screenshots for your team, blur bank account numbers, card digits, and personal identifiers. Keep demo datasets handy for training sessions.

Launch checklist

Complete the onboarding checklist in order. The app keeps track of your progress and unlocks optional modules once the essentials are in place.

  1. Create your workspace and profile.
  2. Connect bank accounts or import your first CSV statement.
  3. Review the starter account tree and tailor it to your finances.
  4. Set up tags, budgets, and savings goals to match your priorities.
  5. Invite collaborators and assign roles if you share finances.
  6. Record your first transactions and verify totals against your bank.

Bookmark this page as you work through the list. Each section below links to the matching screens and supporting guides.

Create your workspace

Download Budget Buddy from the App Store or Play Store and sign in with your Budget Buddy ID. The first-time setup wizard asks for your name, primary currency, and home country to preconfigure taxes and defaults.

Welcome tour
Profile setup

Once completed, the Home screen displays empty widgets that guide you toward connecting accounts and logging your first transaction.

Connect bank feeds or import statements

Choose the data source that fits your situation today. You can switch between live feeds and manual imports at any time.

  • Live connections: Open Settings → Connections, search for your bank, and authenticate using the secure browser window. Budget Buddy syncs recent transactions and refreshes balances automatically.
  • CSV imports: Export a statement from your bank and follow the Bank Import guide to reconcile every line. The matcher remembers how you categorised similar transactions for quicker reviews next time.

Tailor the account tree

Visit the Accounts guide to learn how Budget Buddy organises assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. Rename or hide sample folders, add your own categories, and set opening balances so the overview bar reflects reality immediately.

Organise tags and budgets

Tags and budgets power statistics and reports. Use Settings → Manage Tags to create meaningful labels, then open the Budgets screen to set envelope targets for your most important categories. The Tag guide explains how hidden tags work and how they appear in filters.

Invite collaborators

Shared finances stay transparent when everyone participates. From Settings → Members, invite partners or teammates via email. Roles determine whether someone can view-only, record transactions, or manage settings.

Record your first transactions

Open the Transactions tab and tap the plus button to log income, expenses, or transfers. Use the microphone for voice entry, attach photos to receipts, and apply the tags you configured earlier. Compare totals with your bank to confirm the setup worked.

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I practice before going live? Yes. Create a sandbox workspace from the Settings menu to experiment without touching production data.
  • What if I use multiple currencies? Add each currency under Settings → Manage Currencies and pick a main currency for summaries. Transactions store their original currency and convert automatically.
  • How do I move from another budgeting tool? Export CSV files, import them with the bank matcher, and recreate recurring payments under the Subscriptions tab.

Resources

You are now ready to explore the rest of Budget Buddy. Happy budgeting!