this post was submitted on 15 Jul 2023
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How do you track your personal budget? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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Do you track your expenses monthly? Annually? Do you have an app or do you use an excel spreadsheet? Any suggested tools?

I use a spreadsheet and track monthly.

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[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

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?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago

Interesting thanks. Where I'm from banks don't often offer csv export, I will request the feature.