How to use Spendtrails

Everything in Spendtrails flows from your accounts. Set them up first so your balances and transactions stay accurate.

1. 1Open Accounts from the sidebar and create an account group (e.g. Bank, Cash, Cards) to keep things organised.
2. 2Add an account inside a group - pick a name, type, and an opening balance.
3. 3Repeat for every bank account, credit card, and wallet you want to track.
4. 4Your running balances update automatically as you log transactions.

Record income, expenses, and transfers to see exactly where your money goes, with a running balance on every account.

1. 1Go to Transactions and tap Add to record an income, expense, or transfer.
2. 2Choose the account, amount, category, and date - transfers move money between two of your accounts.
3. 3Browse the chronological ledger to review activity and running balances over time.
4. 4Edit or delete any entry; balances recalculate instantly.

Categories turn raw transactions into insight. Build a set that matches how you actually spend.

1. 1Open Categories and create custom categories, each with its own icon.
2. 2Assign a category whenever you log a transaction.
3. 3Use the dashboard charts to spot spending patterns and trends.
4. 4Refine categories over time as your habits change.

Track your portfolio value, returns, and recurring investments alongside the rest of your finances.

1. 1Open Investments and add a holding, or import holdings from your broker via Excel.
2. 2Live prices keep current value and unrealised P&L up to date.
3. 3Set up amount-based SIPs to automate recurring investments.
4. 4Pause, resume, or stop a SIP from the Holdings & SIPs tab any time.

Keep track of money you've lent out or borrowed, including partial repayments and settlements.

1. 1Open Lend & Debt and record an entry as either lent or borrowed.
2. 2Log partial payments as they happen - the outstanding balance updates automatically.
3. 3Mark an entry as settled once it's fully paid off.
4. 4Track outstanding balances and due dates to follow up on what's still owed.

Split a bill you paid among friends, then track and settle who owes you back.

1. 1Add friends, then create a bill - it splits equally by default and you can adjust any share.
2. 2Optionally track it on an account to log the expense, or keep it as tracking-only.
3. 3Share a personal link with non-users, or registered friends see it under Shared with me.
4. 4Friends tap 'I paid' to flag a payment; you settle each share - on account-tracked bills that posts the income in the same step - or 'Settle all' at once.

Manage your chit fund commitments - installments paid, prizes received, and your net position.

1. 1Open the Chit Funds tab under Investments and add a chit with its terms.
2. 2Pay installments as each month comes due to keep the schedule current.
3. 3Record the prize/payout in the month you win the auction.
4. 4Watch the badge and alerts for installments that are overdue.

Let Spendtrails handle the repetitive entries so your records stay up to date without manual effort.

1. 1In Settings, set up recurring transactions for regular income and bills.
2. 2Each recurrence is created automatically on its schedule.
3. 3Recurring SIPs work the same way for your investments.
4. 4Edit, pause, or stop any recurring rule from Settings whenever your plans change.

Sign-in and account security are handled by a dedicated authentication service.

1. 1Open Settings and use 'Manage account & security' to open your account portal.
2. 2Update your password and sign-in options from the portal.
3. 3Keep your email address current so account recovery stays available.
4. 4Sign out from the sidebar on any shared or public device.

Make the app feel like yours - adjust the look, language of numbers, and how dates appear.

1. 1In Settings → Preferences, switch between light and dark themes.
2. 2Pick a font family and scale the text size to your comfort.
3. 3Set your preferred currency and date format.
4. 4Choose your timezone so recurring schedules fire at the right time.