Complete User Guide

Budget Cards is a desktop budgeting app that runs entirely on your computer. There are no cloud accounts, no servers, and no one else can see your data. Everything is stored in a local SQLite database file on your disk.

You create accounts (like "Checking Account", "Cash Wallet", "Savings"), add transactions to a monthly calendar, assign them to categories (like "Groceries", "Rent", "Transport"), and the app calculates your balances, spending limits, and savings automatically.

The core philosophy: every transaction lives on a specific day on a specific calendar month, just like writing in a paper ledger — but with superpowers.

The app has three main zones:

Zone

Location

Purpose

Calendar	Center-left	Your monthly calendar with day cards. Each day shows its transactions.
Sidebar	Right side	Stats, banners, quick actions, and navigation. Always visible.
Right Panel	Slides out from the right	Reports, charts, calculator, AI analysis, savings hub. Opens when you click a toggle button in the sidebar.

At the very top of the sidebar, you'll see the ⚙ gear icon — this opens the Settings window.

1. Click the ⚙ gear icon in the top-right of the sidebar to open Settings.
2. Click the "Accounts" tab.
3. Click "+ Add Account".
4. Enter a name (e.g., "Main Checking"), choose a color and icon, select the currency (USD, EUR, RSD, etc.), and enter the current balance.
5. Click Save.

1. On the calendar, click any day card (e.g., the 15th).
2. A modal opens with a form. Fill in:
   • Description (e.g., "Lunch with Miroslav")
   • Amount (e.g., -15.50 for an expense, or +1500 for income)
   • Category (choose from dropdown, e.g., "Dining Out")
3. Click Save.
4. The transaction appears on that day's card. Your sidebar stats update instantly.

• Previous/Next month: Use the ◀ and ▶ arrow buttons in the sidebar's month navigator panel.

• Jump to any month: Click the month name in the sidebar to open a month picker. Select any month from any year.
• Today button: In the month picker, click "Today" to snap back to the current month.
• ISO Week Numbers: When enabled (Settings → Features → Week Numbers), small W24, W25 labels appear on the left edge of the calendar. Clicking a week number opens the Weekly Bulk Entry for that 7-day span.

Budget Cards has built-in keyboard shortcuts for power users. Press ? (or click the ? button) to open the shortcuts overlay.

Key

Action

N	Add new transaction for today
F	Focus the filter/search bar
Esc	Close any open modal or panel
← / →	Previous / Next month
T	Toggle tentative/planned mode
Ctrl+Z	Undo last deletion (restore from trash)
S	Open Settings
?	Show/hide shortcuts overlay

Budget Cards includes 28+ themes — from dark OLED to warm paper to glassmorphic.

1. Open Settings → Appearance.
2. Browse the theme cards. Each shows a preview of its background, accent, and text colors.
3. Click any theme card. The entire app changes instantly — no restart needed.
4. Scroll to explore: dark modes, light modes, sepia paper modes, high-contrast modes, and creative gradient themes.

You can change the entire typography of the app independently of the theme.

1. Open Settings → Fonts.
2. Filter by type: Click All, Sans (modern), Serif (classic), or Mono (code/spreadsheet style).
3. Pick a font: Click any font card (Inter, Outfit, Lora, Courier Prime, etc.) — changes apply instantly.
4. Adjust UI weight: Drag the "UI Weight" slider to make interface text thinner or bolder.
5. Adjust Number weight: Drag the "Number Weight" slider to make currency amounts and dates stand out more.
6. Reset: Click "Reset to theme defaults" to go back to the theme's original fonts.

For users who enjoy a premium, modern UI feel, Budget Cards offers optional visual effects.

1. Open Settings → Effects.
2. Toggle individual effects on/off:
   • 3D Tilt: Day cards tilt slightly as you move your mouse over them.
   • Parallax Layers: Background elements move at different speeds for depth.
   • Card Flip: New cards animate with a subtle flip-in.
   • Glow Pulse: Accent elements have a soft breathing glow.
   • Glitch/Delete Effect: Deleted items animate with a glitch dissolve.
   • Confetti: Celebratory confetti when you reach savings goals.
   • Ambient Background: Subtle animated particles or waves in the background.
3. Effects apply instantly. Turn off any that feel distracting.

Budget Cards is fully translated into 48 languages, including European, Asian, Middle Eastern, and African languages.

To switch: open Settings → General, select your language from the dropdown. The entire app (menus, buttons, reports) changes instantly.

Every transaction is assigned to a category. You can create, edit, archive, and reorder your categories.

1. Open Settings → Categories.
2. Add a category: Click "+ Add Category", enter a name (e.g., "Pet Care"), pick an icon, and choose whether it's an expense or income category.
3. Edit: Click ✎ to rename or change the icon.
4. Archive: Click 📦 to hide a category without deleting its transactions. Archived categories can be restored later.

The Safe to Spend block shows you exactly how much money you can safely spend today, this week, or this month without going over your limits.

• Today: Your available daily budget based on remaining monthly funds.
• This week: Rolling 7-day projection.
• This month: What's left after all planned expenses.

Click the tabs (Today / Week / Month) to switch views. The number is color-coded: green (safe), yellow (caution), red (danger zone).

The Cash Flow panel shows your total income and expenses for the current month side by side.

• Green number: Total income received this month.
• Red number: Total expenses paid this month.
• The net difference drives your closing balance.

The hero block at the top of the sidebar shows three critical numbers:

• Opening balance: What you had at the start of the month.
• Closing balance: What you have now (opening + income - expenses).
• Net: The month's change — green if you earned more than you spent, red if not.

Right below the category focus chip, you'll see your most recently added transaction displayed as a quick preview card. It shows the description, amount, category, and date.

• Click the "Edit" button on the card to jump directly to that transaction's day for editing.
• This is useful when you want to verify that your last entry was recorded correctly.

Click any category chip in the sidebar to filter the entire calendar and all stats to show only transactions in that category. All other transactions are temporarily hidden.

• A reset button appears — click it to return to the normal view showing all categories.
• You can also filter by week: click the week navigation arrows to move through week-long focus windows.

Below the account switcher, you'll find the Sidebar Filters bar. These let you filter the calendar and stats by:

• Category: Show only specific categories.
• Date range: Show only transactions within a date range.
• Amount range: Show only transactions above/below certain amounts.
• Description search: Show only transactions whose description contains specific text.

Filters stack — you can combine them. A "Clear Filters" button resets everything.

The Month Overview panel shows every active category with a progress bar comparing your planned (budgeted) amount to what you've actually spent.

• Green bar: Under budget — you have money left.
• Yellow bar: Approaching the limit — be careful.
• Red bar: Over budget — stop spending in this category.
• Each bar shows the number of transactions and the remaining amount.

Open it by clicking the "◈ Month Overview" toggle in the sidebar.

A comprehensive, printable financial statement of the current month.

• Opening balance, total income, total expenses, net change.
• Per-category breakdown with amounts and percentages.
• Actions: Copy to clipboard, Export as .md (Markdown), Print / Save as PDF.

Open it by clicking " Monthly Report" in the sidebar (or "AI Insights" depending on language).

Your annual financial statement — all 12 months side by side.

• Total income and expenses for each month.
• Annual totals at the bottom.
• Same export options as the Monthly Report (copy, .md, print/PDF).

Open it by clicking "◫ Yearly Report" in the sidebar.

A master list of every transaction you've ever entered, sorted by date. This is your permanent financial ledger.

• Search bar: Type any keyword to find transactions by description, category, or amount.
• Filter by category: Narrow down to specific categories.
• Filter by account: View transactions from a specific account.
• Click any transaction to jump to its day card.

Open it by clicking "✓ Realized" in the sidebar.

An interactive visual dashboard with:

• Pie Chart: Distribution of spending across categories.
• Bar Chart: Income vs. expenses month by month.
• Net Worth Chart: Your total net worth over time (balance + savings - debts).
• Spending Trend Line: Overall expense trajectory across months.

Hover over any slice, bar, or point to see exact amounts. Click chart types to expand them.

Open it by clicking "◑ Charts" in the sidebar.

A digital version of the classic accountant's paper-tape calculator — every calculation stays visible in a scrolling history.

Basic operations: Click the number pad or type directly. Supports +, -, ×, ÷, %. Advanced features:

• Math expressions: Type 2*(45+15) directly — no need to use buttons step by step.
• VAT (PDV) button: Enter a number (e.g., 100), click VAT, and the calculator computes 100 + 20% = 120 (or your local VAT rate). Click again to remove VAT.
• Currency converter: Click the currency button to convert between currencies (e.g., 100 EUR → USD). Uses live exchange rates if FX is enabled.
• Memory functions: M+ adds the current result to memory. MR recalls the memory value. MC clears memory.
• Line notes: Click next to any tape line to add a text note (e.g., "lunch receipt").
• Copy a line: Click any result in the tape to copy it. Paste it directly into a transaction amount field.

Open it by clicking "⊞ Calculator" in the sidebar.

Budget Cards has a built-in AI analyzer that reviews your monthly spending and gives tailored saving tips.

Offline mode (default): Runs entirely on your computer. No data is sent anywhere. Analyzes your categories, spending patterns, and savings progress to generate a text report with actionable advice. Online mode (optional): Connect your own API key for OpenAI (GPT-4), Anthropic (Claude), DeepSeek, Groq, Mistral, or a local Ollama server. The online analysis provides deeper insights and more creative suggestions. Your API key is stored only on your device.

Open it by clicking "⚡ AI Analysis" in the sidebar.

The Savings Hub is your goal-tracking center for everything you're saving toward.

1. Ensure "Extended Savings" is enabled in Settings → Features.
2. Click "◎ Savings Hub" in the sidebar.
3. Create a goal: Click "+ Add Goal", enter a name (e.g., "New Laptop"), target amount ($1,200), currency, target date, and an icon.
4. Add funds: Click a goal to open it, then click "Deposit" to add money. This reduces your available balance and grows the goal.
5. Withdraw: If you need to pull money back out, click "Withdraw".
6. Track progress: Each goal shows a progress bar and the monthly amount needed to reach the target on time.

Track money you've borrowed or lent — separate from your main budget categories.

1. Open the Debts panel by clicking the Debts banner in the sidebar (or enable it in Settings → Features).
2. Add a debt: Choose direction — "I Owe" (you borrowed) or "Owed to Me" (you lent). Enter the person's name, amount, optional note, and due date.
3. Settle: When the debt is paid, click "Settle". Choose a date, category, and optionally route the money directly to a savings goal.
4. The sidebar banner shows your net debt position (I owe minus owed to me).

Rollover automatically carries unspent money from this month's categories into next month — or subtracts overspending.

• Surplus: If you budgeted $400 for Groceries but only spent $350, the remaining $50 rolls over. Next month's Groceries budget starts at $450.
• Deficit: If you spent $70 on a $50 Electricity budget, the -$20 rolls over. Next month starts at $30 — encouraging you to conserve.

1. Enable "Rollover" in Settings → Features.
2. Set category limits in Settings → Categories (set monthly budget amounts).
3. The Rollover banner in the sidebar shows active rollovers, surpluses, and transfers.
4. Click the banner to open the full Rollover panel for detailed management.

A digital version of the classic cash envelope system — track physical paper money separately from your bank accounts.

1. When you withdraw cash from an ATM, log it as a transfer to the Cash Pocket.
2. The Cash Pocket balance (shown in the sidebar) goes up.
3. When you spend physical cash (coffee, market, tips), add a transaction and select "Cash Pocket" as the payment source.
4. Click the Cash Envelope card in the sidebar to open the entry modal.

A dedicated tracker for all your recurring subscriptions — streaming services, gym memberships, software, magazines, etc.

1. Look for the 📺 Subscriptions banner in the sidebar (always visible).
2. Click the banner to open the standalone Subscriptions window.
3. Add a subscription: Click "+ Add subscription", enter the name (e.g., "Netflix"), amount ($15.99), frequency (monthly), category, start date, and optional end date.
4. Edit: Click ✎ to update any subscription.
5. Pause/Resume: Click ⏸ to pause a subscription (it moves to the "Paused" section). Click ▶ to resume.
6. Delete: Click ✕ to remove a subscription permanently.
7. The sidebar banner shows your total monthly subscription cost.

To mark an existing recurring payment as a subscription: go to Settings → Recurring, edit the rule, and check the "📺 Is subscription" checkbox.

Automate regular transactions that repeat on a schedule — salary, rent, bills, subscriptions, gym fees.

1. Open Settings → Recurring or click the recurring banner in the sidebar.
2. Create a rule: Specify the name, amount, category, frequency (daily/weekly/monthly/yearly), day of month/week, start date, and optional end date.
3. Advanced options: Business days only (skip weekends), early pay days (post X days before the due date), custom interval (every N days/weeks/months).
4. The app automatically posts recurring transactions to your calendar when their date arrives.
5. Check "📺 Is subscription" to have the rule also appear in the Subscriptions tracker.

Split a single payment into multiple categories so your reports stay accurate.

1. When adding or editing a transaction, click the "Split" button.
2. Add sub-items: each gets its own category, amount, and optional note.
3. The total of all splits must equal the main transaction amount.
4. Save — the transaction now contributes to multiple categories.

Enter an entire week's transactions on one screen — like a paper ledger sheet.

1. Enable "Week Numbers" in Settings → Features.
2. Click any week number (W24, W25) on the left edge of the calendar.
3. A grid appears with rows for Monday through Sunday.
4. For each day, type the description, amount, and category.
5. Click Save — all transactions are posted to their respective days.

A spreadsheet-style grid showing every day of the month as rows and your categories as columns.

1. Enable "Monthly Bulk Entry" in Settings → Features.
2. Click the "Monthly entry" button in the sidebar (below the month navigator).
3. Click any cell (e.g., Day 12 under "Groceries"), type the amount, press Enter.
4. Navigate with Tab and arrow keys for ultra-fast data entry.

Mark transactions as "Tentative" (planned) to see how your budget would look before the money actually moves.

• When adding a transaction, check the "Tentative" (or "Planned") checkbox.
• Tentative transactions appear in a lighter, dashed style on day cards.
• Toggle the "Include tentative estimates" switch in the sidebar to see your balance with or without planned items.
• The Month Overview and reports can include or exclude tentative items.

Import transactions from bank exports, spreadsheets, or other financial software.

1. Open Settings → Data.
2. Click "Import CSV/XLSX/OFX/PDF".
3. Select your file. The app parses it and shows a preview table.
4. Map columns: Tell the app which column is the date, description, amount, etc.
5. If you have Import Rules set up, categories are auto-detected.
6. Review the preview, uncheck any rows you don't want to import, and click Import.

PDF Import & Export: Budget Cards also supports PDF as both import and export, using the standard 5-column bank statement layout (Datum valute | Datum obrade | Isplate | Uplate | Opis).

• Import: In Settings → Data → Import, click "Import Bank PDF (.pdf)". The app extracts text from the PDF, parses the 5-column format, and imports transactions. Debit and credit amounts are auto-detected.
• Export: In Settings → Data → Export, click "Export PDF (.pdf)". All payments for the current account are exported in the same 5-column format. The file opens in your Downloads folder.

Define rules that automatically assign categories to imported transactions based on their description text.

1. Open Settings → Import Rules.
2. Click "+ Add Rule".
3. Enter a pattern (text that appears in transaction descriptions) and choose a category.
4. The rule matches case-insensitively and uses substring matching. First match wins (ordered by priority).
5. When importing CSV/XLSX/OFX/PDF, matching transactions are auto-categorized.

Accidentally deleted a transaction? No problem — Budget Cards has a trash system.

1. Open Recently Deleted from the sidebar or Settings → Data.
2. You'll see all transactions deleted in the last 30 days.
3. Click Restore to bring any transaction back to its original date and category.
4. After 30 days, deleted items are permanently removed.
5. Keyboard shortcut: Press Ctrl+Z (or Cmd+Z on Mac) to instantly undo the last deletion.

Protect your financial data with a PIN code.

1. Open Settings → Privacy.
2. Enable "App Lock".
3. Enter a 4–6 digit PIN.
4. Set the inactivity timeout (e.g., 5 minutes). After this period of inactivity, the app locks and requires the PIN.
5. The PIN is stored securely on your device. There is no "reset" — if you forget it, you'll need to access the database file directly.

Your data lives in a local SQLite database. You can back it up and restore it manually.

1. Open Settings → Data.
2. Backup: Click "Export Backup" to save a copy of your database file. Store it somewhere safe (external drive, cloud folder).
3. Restore: Click "Import Backup" and select a previously saved backup file. Warning: This replaces all current data.
4. For automated backups, copy the database file from the app's data directory (location shown in Settings → About).

Budget Cards can fetch live exchange rates for currency conversion.

1. Open Settings → FX Rates.
2. Enable "Live FX Rates".
3. The app fetches current rates from an open-source API.
4. When you have accounts in different currencies, the app converts between them automatically.
5. The Calculator also supports currency conversion: enter an amount, click the currency button, and convert.

Set up reminders so Budget Cards prompts you to enter transactions or review your budget.

1. Open Settings → General (or the Reminders section).
2. Enable "Reminders".
3. Choose a preset ("Daily", "Weekly", "Custom") or set a specific date/time.
4. The app sends a native desktop notification at the scheduled time.
5. Clicking the notification opens Budget Cards.

Keep the interface clean by turning off modules you don't need.

1. Open Settings → Features.
2. Uncheck any feature you don't use. It disappears from the sidebar and panels instantly.
3. Your data in hidden features is preserved — re-enable the feature anytime and everything is still there.
4. Available toggles: Week Numbers, Weekly Bulk Entry, Monthly Bulk Entry, Category Filter Views, Extended Savings, Month Overview, Monthly Report, Annual Report, Calculator, AI Analysis, Charts, Cash Envelope, Rollover, Debts.

Budget Cards is offline-first and privacy-respecting by design.

• Your data lives on your computer in a local SQLite database file. No cloud servers, no accounts, no syncing.
• The AI Analysis runs 100% locally by default — your transactions are never sent anywhere for offline analysis.
• Online AI (optional): If you choose to use OpenAI, Claude, DeepSeek, etc., only the text of your report request is sent — and it uses your own API key, stored locally.
• FX Rates: If enabled, the app fetches exchange rates from a public API. No personal data is sent.
• No telemetry, no tracking, no analytics. The app does not phone home.
• Database location: Shown in Settings → About. You can copy, back up, or move this file freely.