diff --git a/docs/accounts/index.md b/docs/accounts/index.md index 9b6adf86f..cc4a7d449 100644 --- a/docs/accounts/index.md +++ b/docs/accounts/index.md @@ -2,13 +2,15 @@ You can add as many accounts as you like. Adding all of your accounts (including things like mortgages) is a nice way to get an overview of all your finances. -## Off-budget accounts +## Off budget accounts -Actual makes a distinction between accounts being **for** budget or **off** budget. Off budget accounts don't affect the budget and are meant to track stuff like investments and mortgages. Transactions in off budget accounts can't be categorized; they simply track balances over time. +Actual makes a distinction between accounts being **on** budget or **off** budget. Off budget accounts don't affect the budget and are meant to track stuff like investments and mortgages. Transactions in off budget accounts can't be categorized; they simply track balances over time. -**For budget** accounts affect the budget, and transactions can be categorized. These are accounts where you want to track cash flow and use the budget, like checking accounts and credit cards. +**Off budget** accounts don't effect the budget and are meant to track stuff like investments and mortgages. Transactions in off budget accounts can't be categorized; they simply track balances over time. -Depending on your usage, savings accounts can either be on or off the budget. If you're not sure, we recommend keeping it on budget at the start. +**On budget** accounts affect the budget, and transactions can be categorized. These are accounts where you want to track cash flow and use the budget, like checking accounts and credit cards. + +Depending on your usage, savings accounts can be on or off the budget. If you're not sure, we recommend keeping them on budget at the start. ## Adding a new account @@ -21,7 +23,7 @@ You can also add an account using the `+ Add account` button in the sidebar. Two successive screens will appear with boxes asking you to fill in a few options - Create a Local Account or Link to GoCardless (See [Connecting Your Bank](https://actualbudget.org/docs/advanced/bank-sync)) - Give your account a name -- Is the account on or off budget +- Is the account on budget or off budget - The current account balance :::note @@ -35,7 +37,7 @@ Off budget means that the balance is not reflected when you assign money to cate Here you can see how that looks when the options are completed. :::note -If you select the Off Budget checkbox then change the account type the Off Budget checkbox will reset and will need to be re-selected each time the account type is changed +If you select the Off budget checkbox then change the account type the Off budget checkbox will reset and will need to be re-selected each time the account type is changed ::: ![](/img/add-account/NewBudget.png) diff --git a/docs/accounts/reconciliation.md b/docs/accounts/reconciliation.md index 56b5c1bf9..8381341ee 100644 --- a/docs/accounts/reconciliation.md +++ b/docs/accounts/reconciliation.md @@ -34,9 +34,9 @@ Of course, there's always the possibility you need to change a locked transactio ![](/img/reconcile/reconcile-10.png) -## Using the Reconciliation Tool for Off-Budget Asset Tracking +## Using the Reconciliation Tool for Off Budget Asset Tracking -Some people use off-budget accounts to track values of assets such as vehicles, real estate, retirement accounts, or other investment accounts or property. The reconciliation tool is useful to update these values as well. Let's say we have a house that was valued at 358,700 but with current changes in the market it is now valued at 385,000. We go to the ledger for the house, choose the reconciliation tool, and enter 385,000 as the new value into the tool. +Some people use off budget accounts to track values of assets such as vehicles, real estate, retirement accounts, or other investment accounts or property. The reconciliation tool is useful to update these values as well. Let's say we have a house that was valued at 358,700 but with current changes in the market it is now valued at 385,000. We go to the ledger for the house, choose the reconciliation tool, and enter 385,000 as the new value into the tool. ![](/img/reconcile/reconcile-5.png) diff --git a/docs/api/reference.md b/docs/api/reference.md index f412e63a7..5bf546b08 100644 --- a/docs/api/reference.md +++ b/docs/api/reference.md @@ -271,7 +271,7 @@ The account type does not effect anything currently. It's simply extra informati Avoid setting the `closed` property directly to close an account; instead use the `closeAccount` method. If the account still has money in it you will be required to specify another account to transfer the current balance to. This will help track your money correctly. -If you want to fully delete an account and remove it entirely from the system, use [`deleteAccount`](#deleteaccount). Note that if it's an on-budget account, any money coming from that account will disappear. +If you want to fully delete an account and remove it entirely from the system, use [`deleteAccount`](#deleteaccount). Note that if it's an on budget account, any money coming from that account will disappear. #### Methods @@ -299,9 +299,9 @@ Update fields of an account. `fields` can specify any field described in [`Accou Close an account. `transferAccountId` and `transferCategoryId` are optional if the balance of the account is 0, otherwise see next paragraph. -If the account has a non-zero balance, you need to specify an account with `transferAccountId` to transfer the money into. If you are transferring from an on-budget account to an off-budget account, you can optionally specify a category with `transferCategoryId` to categorize the transfer transaction. +If the account has a non-zero balance, you need to specify an account with `transferAccountId` to transfer the money into. If you are transferring from an on budget account to an off budget account, you can optionally specify a category with `transferCategoryId` to categorize the transfer transaction. -Transferring money to an off-budget account needs a category because money is taken out of the budget, so it needs to come from somewhere. +Transferring money to an off budget account needs a category because money is taken out of the budget, so it needs to come from somewhere. If you want to simply delete an account, see [`deleteAccount`](#deleteaccount). diff --git a/docs/budgeting/joint-accounts.md b/docs/budgeting/joint-accounts.md index 861836bd8..adea586ab 100644 --- a/docs/budgeting/joint-accounts.md +++ b/docs/budgeting/joint-accounts.md @@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ Situation: I am using Actual to keep track of my budget and finances, but I shar ### Basic setup steps -1. Create an **on-budget** account used to pay joint bills. +1. Create an **on budget** account used to pay joint bills. 2. Create a **category group** used to group your shared expense categories. 3. Create the **categories** you plan to budget using your joint account. 4. **Optional:** Create an **Income Category** called **Partner Contribution** or something similar. This will be explained further below. @@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ Situation: I am using Actual to keep track of my budget and finances, but I shar #### Your contribution -Each month you will add a transfer of your share to the joint account from one of your on-budget accounts. You don't need a category for your contribution since it is just a transfer from one of your accounts to another. +Each month you will add a transfer of your share to the joint account from one of your on budget accounts. You don't need a category for your contribution since it is just a transfer from one of your accounts to another. ![Screenshot of joint accounts in a personal Actual Budget file](/img/joint-accounts/jointaccount-2.png) diff --git a/docs/budgeting/returns-and-reimbursements.md b/docs/budgeting/returns-and-reimbursements.md index 36c5b2983..04af6efa8 100644 --- a/docs/budgeting/returns-and-reimbursements.md +++ b/docs/budgeting/returns-and-reimbursements.md @@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Now when I check my budget, I have 32 dollars available to spend on clothing for ## Reimbursements -Handling reimbursements can be confusing. There are several ways to handle them in your budget and you may use each way at different times depending on the circumstances. When it comes to reimbursements, it is assumed you will be covering some purchases that you would not normally make in your normal monthly budget. Having a special category in your budget that captures these purchases is not uncommon. There are two fundamental ways to manage reimbursements. The first is by carrying debt and the second is to pre-fund the category. Ideally, carrying debt is a last resort. But if the reimbursable expense is large compared to your current on-budget account balances, there may be no other reasonable way. +Handling reimbursements can be confusing. There are several ways to handle them in your budget and you may use each way at different times depending on the circumstances. When it comes to reimbursements, it is assumed you will be covering some purchases that you would not normally make in your normal monthly budget. Having a special category in your budget that captures these purchases is not uncommon. There are two fundamental ways to manage reimbursements. The first is by carrying debt and the second is to pre-fund the category. Ideally, carrying debt is a last resort. But if the reimbursable expense is large compared to your current on budget account balances, there may be no other reasonable way. In this scenario, all of your reimbursable expenses would go to a credit card. Credit cards have negative balances in the account view until they are paid in full, because after all, they are a debt product. You will also want a category that is meant for these reimbursable expenses. Maybe a **Business** category or **Shared Expenses** category will fill that role. Whatever category name you choose, you need to make a decision. Will you be pre-funding this category and allowing it to draw down towards 0 until you're reimbursed or will you let the category be overdrawn and carry a negative balance and then refill the category when you are reimbursed. diff --git a/docs/getting-started/starting-fresh.md b/docs/getting-started/starting-fresh.md index d8780dbf5..783ccfba2 100644 --- a/docs/getting-started/starting-fresh.md +++ b/docs/getting-started/starting-fresh.md @@ -12,15 +12,15 @@ This includes all savings, checking, and investment accounts. These accounts should match what shows up in your Bank or Credit Union. For example, if you have a savings, checking, and credit card account with Bank of America, add each as a separate account in Actual. -### On or Off Budget +### On Budget or Off Budget In Actual, you have the option of on budget accounts and off budget accounts. On budget accounts are included towards the funds available in your budget, while off budget accounts are only for tracking. Off budget accounts are included in the net worth report. -It is usually best to err towards putting accounts on budget versus off. +It is usually best to err towards putting accounts on budget versus off budget. The most common off budget accounts would be investment type accounts such as a 401(k), IRA, HSA, brokerage account, loans, and asset tracking such as your home equity. -Savings accounts can be either on or off budget. +Savings accounts can be either on budget or off budget. It is usually easier, and more flexible, to place them on budget. #### Considerations for On Budget Savings diff --git a/docs/reports/custom-reports.md b/docs/reports/custom-reports.md index 7d9440a03..b317c9171 100644 --- a/docs/reports/custom-reports.md +++ b/docs/reports/custom-reports.md @@ -11,12 +11,12 @@ Custom reports allow analyzing transaction data by using charts or a data table ## Left Menu The **Type** menu can be used to change the display of transactions shown in the report: -1. Payment: outflows from For budget accounts -2. Deposit: inflows in For budget accounts -3. Net: sum of outflows and inflows across For budget accounts. Net results are the figures shown in Budget page under Spent and Received columns. This option is currently available in Data Table, Area Graph and partially available in Bar Graph and Donut Graph +1. Payment: outflows from on budget accounts +2. Deposit: inflows to on budget accounts +3. Net: sum of outflows and inflows across on budget accounts. Net results are the figures shown in Budget page under Spent and Received columns. This option is currently available in Data Table, Area Graph and partially available in Bar Graph and Donut Graph This sum can be **Split** by Category, Group, Payee, Account or Month. -Note that Split by Account shows sum of transactions from For budget account, not periodic balance. +Note that Split by Account shows sum of transactions from on budget account, not periodic balance. Monthly breakdowns are provided by changing Mode from Total to Time. ![Custom report left side with display and date filters](/img/reports/cr-left-menu.png) @@ -31,9 +31,9 @@ Under Options, reports behavior can be changed * `Show hidden categories` will enable Categories marked as hidden in the Budget page. * `Show empty rows` will show items chosen in Split with 0 value. -* `Show Off budget` enables two categories: - * Transfers: include all transfers across For budget account. Transfers from For budget to Off budget are not counted. - * Off budget: include all transactions in Off budget accounts. Transfers from For budget to Off budget are not counted. +* `Show off budget` enables two categories: + * Transfers: include all transfers across on budget account. Transfers from on budget to off budget are not counted. + * Off budget: include all transactions in off budget accounts. Transfers from on budget to off budget are not counted. * `Show uncategorized` will show transactions which have not been assigned a category. Single Categories or entire Groups can be excluded from the Report by using the list on the bottom left side. diff --git a/docs/tour/reports.md b/docs/tour/reports.md index 535609e44..e587643d0 100644 --- a/docs/tour/reports.md +++ b/docs/tour/reports.md @@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ All reports in this view are shown in their small, tiled, version. Clicking on a from the total value of your cash and assets. This includes all investments. Essentially, your net worth is the amount you would have if you sold all your assets and paid off all your debts. -**Cash flow** tracks your spending over time by focusing solely on budgeted accounts and displaying their balances. +**Cash flow** tracks your spending over time by focusing solely on budget accounts and displaying their balances. It includes separate visualizations for income and expenses, providing a quick overview of how these factors affect your available money over time. By considering your budgeted accounts as “cash on hand,” cash flow clearly shows how your available funds fluctuate. diff --git a/docs/tour/sidebar.md b/docs/tour/sidebar.md index 2e9d6da2c..cb3d29d91 100644 --- a/docs/tour/sidebar.md +++ b/docs/tour/sidebar.md @@ -8,6 +8,6 @@ The sidebar in Actual holds all of the links to navigate around the application, ### Account List -The sidebar also holds all of your accounts both on and off budget, these will display in a list under the heading they belong E.G On Budget. You can find out how to add an account [here](../accounts/index.md#adding-a-new-account) +The sidebar also holds all of your accounts both On budget and Off budget, these will display in a list under the heading they belong e.g. On budget. You can find out how to add an account [here](../accounts/index.md#adding-a-new-account) ![](/img/using-actual/budget-sidebar-accounts.png) diff --git a/docs/tour/user-interface.md b/docs/tour/user-interface.md index dba99de40..f5b616544 100644 --- a/docs/tour/user-interface.md +++ b/docs/tour/user-interface.md @@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ From the sidebar, you have easy access to all Actual's functionality. * Access to your Budget, Reports and Schedules. * Less used functions are found under _More_, like managing Payees and Rules; this is where you find the software settings. -* The sidebar also holds all of your accounts, both on and off-budget; these will display in a list under the heading to which they belong, e.g., On Budget. +* The sidebar also holds all of your accounts, both on budget and off budget; these will display in a list under the heading to which they belong e.g. On budget. 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