6. Simple Budget Web Application

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Simple Budget Web Application

The Simple Budget Web Application in smartMoney provides an easy-to-use interface for viewing specific budgets and tracking withdrawals and deposits. It is perfect for sharing accounts with others, such as a spouse or roommate, or for monitoring home expenses without sharing FireFly-III admin credentials.

Overview

This web application is designed to help you track budgets and related transactions without replacing the full UI of FireFly-III. It focuses on displaying budget information and sending alerts for transactions related to those budgets.

Key Features

1. View Budgets:

   • Access a simple interface to view specific budgets and their statuses.

2. Track Transactions:

   • Monitor withdrawals and deposits related to your budgets.

3. Share Access:

   • Share budget information with others (e.g., spouse, roommate) without giving them full access to FireFly-III admin credentials.

4. Receive Alerts:

   • Get alerts for transactions related to your budgets, helping you stay informed about your spending.

How It Works

Process Flow:

1. Log In to Web Application:

   • Users log in to the Simple Budget Web Application with their credentials.

2. View Budget Overview:

   • The application displays an overview of the budgets, including current balances, total deposits, and total withdrawals.

3. Track Transactions:

   • Users can view detailed transaction lists for each budget, showing all related deposits and withdrawals.

4. Receive Transaction Alerts:

   • The application sends alerts for transactions that affect the budgets, keeping users informed in real-time.

Setting Up the Simple Budget Web Application

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Install the Web Application:

   • Follow the installation instructions provided by smartMoney to set up the Simple Budget Web Application on your server.

2. Configure User Access:

   • Set up user accounts for those who need access to the budget information (e.g., spouse, roommate).

3. Link to FireFly-III:

   • Ensure the web application is linked to your FireFly-III instance to pull budget and transaction data.

4. Set Up Alerts:

   • Configure the alert settings to receive notifications for transactions related to your budgets.

Using the Web Application

Viewing Budgets

• Log in to the web application to access the budget overview.
• Each budget displays the current balance, total deposits, and total withdrawals.

Tracking Transactions

• Select a budget to view detailed transaction lists.
• Transactions are categorized as deposits or withdrawals, showing amounts and dates.

Receiving Alerts

• Configure your alert preferences in the settings.
• Receive real-time alerts for transactions affecting your budgets via email or push notifications.

Best Practices

• Regularly Review Budgets:

  • Periodically check the budget overview to stay updated on your financial status.

• Monitor Transactions:

  • Keep an eye on the transaction lists to ensure all entries are accurate and expected.

• Share Access Wisely:

  • Only share access with trusted individuals to maintain control over your budget information.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

• Data Sync Problems:

  • If budget or transaction data is not updating, ensure the web application is properly linked to your FireFly-III instance.

• Missing Alerts:

  • Check your alert settings and ensure your contact information is correct to receive notifications.

Solutions

• Verify Integration:

  • Double-check the integration between the Simple Budget Web Application and FireFly-III to ensure data is being correctly imported.

• Adjust Alert Settings:

  • Fine-tune your alert preferences to match your notification needs and ensure timely updates.

By utilizing the Simple Budget Web Application, you can effectively manage and track your budgets, share financial information with trusted individuals, and stay informed about transactions related to your budgets without compromising security.