Features / Categories & rules
Keep repeat spending in the right category.
The same merchant should not become a new puzzle every month. Give transactions consistent categories, use rules for repeat patterns, and keep your spending view readable.
Start in the iOS app. Web sign-in is available for existing members.
One repeat decision
Merchant
Neighbourhood market
Category
Groceries
An extra lens, when you need it
Tag: Cottage weekend
The category is still Groceries.
A little order does a lot of work.
Name the things you actually budget for
Categories are the foundation of spending totals and your plan. Organize them around useful distinctions, such as groceries and dining, rather than creating a new category for every merchant.
Put repeat decisions into rules
Create a merchant rule to reuse a category choice for matching transactions. Spend your review time on purchases that need another look.
Keep occasions separate from categories
Tags give trips and projects an additional lens. A restaurant purchase can remain dining while being tagged for a weekend away. Tags do not replace the category used by your budget.
Good to know
A few practical questions.
How are categories different from tags?
Categories are the main classification for budgets and spending totals. Tags are an additional way to explore an occasion or project. Tags can overlap, so a tag total is not a separate slice of your budget.
Can a rule make a mistake?
Yes. A rule follows its matching criteria, which may be broader than you intended. Check the merchant and category, particularly when a business sells several kinds of things.
Start with one month of spending.
Bring in your transactions, review your categories, and give the next month a plan.