Resources
The goal of ExpenseTracker is simple: help you build a clear, repeatable understanding of your spending so you can make better decisions. This Resources hub is where we publish practical guides—written for everyday users, not finance experts. Each guide is designed to be useful even if you never open the app: you’ll learn routines, checklists, and ways to think about money that make tracking easier.
How to use these guides
- Start with expense tracking basics so you can build consistency.
- Add EMI planning if you have fixed monthly commitments.
- Use the monthly review checklist to turn tracking into better decisions.
Featured guides
How to start tracking expenses (without quitting in week 2)
- Pick the 5 categories that matter most
- Create a 60-second daily routine
- Use weekly reviews to stay consistent
TODO (developer): create a blog route and link each card to its article page.
EMI planning: how to keep fixed costs visible every month
- List commitments and end dates
- Separate fixed vs variable spending
- Build a buffer for surprise months
TODO (developer): create a blog route and link each card to its article page.
Monthly review checklist (15 minutes, once a month)
- Compare last month vs this month
- Find the top 3 spending drivers
- Set one realistic change for next month
TODO (developer): create a blog route and link each card to its article page.
A complete guide to tracking expenses and managing EMIs
If you’ve ever tried to “start budgeting” and found it hard to stick with, you’re not alone. The biggest reason people quit is that tracking feels like work—especially when you’re busy. The trick is to design a system that is small enough to be sustainable and consistent enough to teach you something.
ExpenseTracker is built around the idea that monthly visibility changes behavior. When you can see your total spending for the month, and you can compare that to last month, the app becomes more than a list—it becomes a mirror. A mirror doesn’t judge; it simply shows you what is happening so you can choose what to do next.
Step 1: Make tracking easy enough to repeat
Start by tracking only the essentials. Many people try to record every small detail and get overwhelmed. Instead, track the expenses that move the needle: food, transport, bills, shopping, and cash/other. Once you have a habit, you can add more categories if you want.
- Keep a daily routine: add expenses once in the evening (60 seconds).
- Don’t chase perfection: missed a day? Add a rough combined entry and move on.
- Use notes only when helpful (e.g., “festival shopping” or “trip to hometown”).
Step 2: Separate fixed commitments (EMIs) from flexible spending
Fixed costs are the foundation of your month. If you don’t account for them, your “available budget” is not real. EMIs are a perfect example: they may not feel like spending, but they reduce cash flow every month.
By adding your EMI once (with the correct end date), you keep your baseline consistent. It also helps answer practical questions like: “How much will I free up when my phone EMI ends?” or “Can I afford a new EMI right now?”
Step 3: Use monthly reviews to actually improve
Tracking is only useful if it leads to action. The best action is usually small and specific. Once a month, spend 10–15 minutes reviewing:
- Your total spending vs last month
- Your top 3 categories by amount
- One change to try next month (e.g., cap food delivery to 2×/week)