Quick Start Guide

This guide will help you set up Balance and start budgeting in about 10 minutes. Let’s get you and your partner in sync with your money!

Step 1: Create Your Account (2 minutes)

1. Visit app.balancebudget.app
2. Click “Sign Up”
3. Enter your name, email, and password
4. Click “Create Account”
5. Check your email for the verification code
6. Enter the code to verify your email

✅ Checkpoint: You should now see the subscription page.

Need help? See Creating Your Account →

Step 2: Start Your Free Trial (1 minute)

1. Choose between Premium Monthly or Premium Annual
2. Click “Start Your Free Trial”
3. Note: No credit card required - your trial is completely free for 30 days
4. After 30 days, you’ll automatically switch to the free plan unless you subscribe

✅ Checkpoint: You should now see the onboarding welcome screen.

Learn more about pricing →

Step 3: Set Up Income Categories (2 minutes)

1. On the “Add Income” screen, you’ll see common income categories
2. Tap “+” next to income sources that apply to you:
   • Salary - Regular paychecks
   • Business Income - Self-employment earnings
   • Investment Income - Dividends, interest
   • Other Income - Any other income sources
3. For each income source, enter your monthly amount
4. Click “Continue”

Example: If you’re paid bi-weekly at $2,000 per paycheck, enter $4,000 as monthly salary.

✅ Checkpoint: Your income categories are set up.

Step 4: Set Up Expense Categories (2 minutes)

1. On the “Add Expenses” screen, you’ll see suggested categories
2. Tap “+” next to categories you want to track:
   • Groceries - Food shopping
   • Dining Out - Restaurants and takeout
   • Rent/Mortgage - Housing payment
   • Utilities - Electric, gas, water, internet
   • Transportation - Gas, public transit, car payment
   • Entertainment - Fun activities
   • And more…
3. For each category, enter your monthly budget
4. Click “Continue”

Tip: Start with your essential categories. You can always add more later!

✅ Checkpoint: Your budget categories are created.

Learn more about categories →

Step 5: Connect Your Bank (2 minutes)

1. On the “Connect Accounts” screen, click “Connect Now”
2. Search for your bank or financial institution
3. Select your bank from the list
4. Log in with your online banking credentials
5. Select which accounts to connect (checking, savings, credit cards)
6. Click “Continue”

Security Note: Balance uses Plaid for bank connections - the same secure technology used by major financial apps. We never see or store your banking password.

✅ Checkpoint: Your bank account is connected and transactions are syncing.

Learn more about bank connections →

Step 6: Categorize Transactions (1 minute)

After connecting your bank, you’ll see recent transactions:

1. Go to the Transactions tab
2. Tap any uncategorized transaction
3. Select the appropriate category
4. For transactions with multiple purposes, you can split them:
   • Tap “Split Transaction”
   • Assign amounts to different categories
5. Repeat for other transactions

Quick Tip: Focus on the current month’s transactions first.

✅ Checkpoint: Your transactions are categorized and your budget is updating.

Learn more about categorizing →

Step 7: Add Your Partner (Optional, 2 minutes)

If you’re budgeting with a partner:

1. Tap your profile picture
2. Select “Manage Profiles”
3. Tap “Add Profile”
4. Enter your partner’s name
5. Choose an avatar
6. Tap “Add Profile”

Note: Your partner can switch to their profile view, but you share the same budget and transactions.

✅ Checkpoint: Your partner’s profile is created.

Learn more about profiles →

You’re All Set!

Congratulations! You’ve set up Balance and are ready to start budgeting together. Here’s what happens next:

Daily Usage

• Transactions sync automatically - Check in daily to categorize new transactions
• Monitor your budget - See your progress against each category
• Communicate with your partner - Both of you can see the latest information
• Adjust as needed - Update budgets monthly based on your spending patterns

What to Do This Week

1. Categorize all current month transactions
2. Review your budget categories - Add any you missed
3. Adjust budget amounts if needed
4. Show your partner how to use the app

What to Do This Month

1. Track your spending - Check in regularly
2. Make budget adjustments - Update categories as needed
3. Add any other bank accounts you want to track
4. Review at month-end - See how you did

Quick Reference

Common Actions

Keyboard Shortcuts (Web)

• B - Budget tab
• T - Transactions tab
• A - Accounts tab
• N - New transaction
• ? - Show shortcuts

Need Help?

Common Questions

Q: How often do transactions sync?
A: Transactions typically sync 1-2 times per day, depending on your bank.

Q: Can my partner and I both use the app at the same time?
A: Yes! Changes sync automatically between devices.

Q: What if I forget to categorize transactions?
A: You’ll see a badge on the Transactions tab showing uncategorized items.

Q: Can I change my budget amounts?
A: Yes, go to Budget > Manage to edit any category.

Get More Help

• Understanding the Dashboard
• Bank Accounts FAQ
• Transaction Management
• Contact Support

Next Steps

Now that you’re set up, dive deeper into these topics:

1. Understanding the Dashboard - Master the main screen
2. Setting Category Budgets - Optimize your budget
3. Bulk Categorizing Transactions - Save time
4. Managing Your Budget - Advanced tips

Happy budgeting! You’re on your way to financial harmony. 🎉