Getting Started with CalendarBudget
Although CalendarBudget’s main mode is the calendar view, which is different from the account register which most other personal finance software programs default to, setting up your accounts with the software is simple. There is a New Account wizard to walk you through the steps, and a help video offers support right from the first dialog window.
Importing Transactions in CalendarBudget
There is no automated transaction importing function in CalendarBudget, but you can import transactions from an OFX (Open Financial Exchange) file or Quicken’s QFX file, which most financial institutions provide through online banking. These files might also be called MS Money format or Quicken format. You can also import your financial data from Mint.com. First, go to your accounts in Mint and, under the Transactions tab, select the account or accounts you’d like to get data from. Scroll to the bottom and select “Export All Transactions.” Save the file to your computer; then, in CalendarBudget, import that data file to create a new account.
Working With Transactions in CalendarBudget
In this app, you’ll enter transactions a bit differently than you may be used to. CalendarBudget does not handle transactions in individual account registers but instead uses calendars to represent financial accounts. To enter a transaction, click on the date the transaction occurred on the calendar and enter the details, including the account used, the budget category, and whether this is a repeating expense or income item.
Creating Financial Reports in CalendarBudget
To track your finances and projects, you’ll want to take advantage of the different options available for financial reporting. You can analyze your budget from many different angles thanks to the reporting and graphical data analysis in CalendarBudget. The app provides financial reporting from the sidebar and a “Reports” module at the top of the screen. The sidebar is populated with color-coded spending categories and the amount available for spending in each category or the amount overspent. Click a tab above the sidebar to see high and low monthly account balances, as well as surpluses and deficits for budgeted categories. You can switch between views for individual accounts or all accounts using the tabs at the top of the screen, too. The Reports module has graphical reports selections for monthly spending by category, as well as spending trends over the last six months. There’s also an option to create a printable PDF of the calendar as well as to export data to a CSV file for a spreadsheet analysis of your finances.
Alerts, Reminders, and Bookmarks in CalendarBudget
If you like, you can set CalendarBudget to send budget reminders through email for upcoming bills, important announcements, or to schedule a time to do budget plan updates. These reminders are called alerts, not to be confused with the alerts located on the sidebar. CalendarBudget has also a bookmark feature for returning easily to any date on the calendar. Set a bookmark for a date from the Settings menu, then return to that date using the drop-down Bookmarks list located at the upper-right part of the screen.
CalendarBudget Support and Membership
The 21-Day Budgeting Habit Installer Video course explains how to use all these features through short videos. You can watch them all or choose the ones that address the topic you’re most interested in. CalendarBudget costs $3.99 a month and offers a 30-day free trial.
