Frugalyze User Guide
Getting Started
Welcome to Frugalyze! This guide will help you get started with tracking your expenses and managing your finances effectively.
Step 1: Create Your Account
Launch the app and sign up with your email and password. Frugalyze uses Firebase Authentication for secure account management.
Step 2: Set Up Your First Wallet
Create your primary wallet and set your preferred currency. You can add multiple wallets later for different accounts.
Step 3: Configure Categories
Frugalyze comes with default categories, but you can customize them to match your spending habits in Settings.
Managing Transactions
Track both income and expenses with detailed transaction management.
Adding a Transaction
- Tap the + button on the home screen
- Select transaction type: Income or Expense
- Enter the amount and select currency
- Choose a category from your list
- Add a description (optional)
- Set the date and time
- Tap Save
Transaction Details
- Multi-Currency: Each transaction can be in any currency with automatic conversion
- Exchange Rates: Manual or automatic exchange rate tracking
- Filtering: Filter transactions by date range, category, or wallet
- Editing: Tap any transaction to view details and make changes
Multiple Wallets
Manage different accounts separately with Frugalyze's wallet system.
Creating Wallets
Set up multiple wallets for different purposes:
- Personal checking account
- Savings account
- Business expenses
- Cash wallet
- Credit cards
Wallet Management
- Go to Settings → Wallets
- Tap Add Wallet
- Enter wallet name and initial balance
- Set the primary currency for this wallet
- Switch between wallets from the home screen
Managing Categories
Categories help you organize your expenses and understand your spending patterns. Frugalyze includes pre-seeded categories that are automatically created for new users.
Default Categories
Custom Categories
Create your own categories to match your lifestyle:
- Go to Settings → Categories
- Tap Add Category
- Enter a name and choose an icon/color
- Categories automatically sync across devices via Firebase
Setting Budgets
Create and track budgets by category to control your spending.
Creating a Budget
- Navigate to Budgets tab
- Tap Create Budget
- Select a category to budget
- Set the budget amount in your preferred currency
- Choose the time period (monthly, weekly, etc.)
- Save and track your progress
Multi-Currency Support
Frugalyze supports multiple currencies with automatic conversion.
Setting Your Default Currency
- Go to Settings → Currency
- Select your preferred default currency
- Enable automatic currency conversion if desired
Currency Features
- Per-Transaction Currency: Each transaction can be in any currency
- Exchange Rates: Automatic fetching of current exchange rates (requires API key)
- Manual Rates: Set custom exchange rates for offline tracking
- Converted Amounts: View all transactions in your base currency
Bank Sync via Sync Token
Connect Frugalyze with the Bank Simulator app to automatically sync transactions using secure Sync Token pairing.
How Bank Sync Works
- Install both Frugalyze and the companion Bank Simulator app
- Open the Bank Simulator app and go to Sync Settings
- Tap 🔄️ at the top bar to see the sync token.
- Copy the Account Name and Sync Token
- Open Frugalyze and navigate to Settings → Bank Sync
- Paste the Account Name and Sync Token
- Tap Connect
- Review the preview and confirm import
Sync Features
- Secure Token-Based: Use unique tokens for secure pairing
- Real-Time Sync: New transactions appear instantly in Frugalyze
- Account Linking: Link multiple bank accounts with different tokens
- Token Regeneration: Regenerate tokens anytime for security
Import & Export Data
Easily import transactions from external sources or export your data for analysis.
CSV Import
Import transactions from CSV files:
- Go to Settings → Data Export
- Tap Download Import Template to see the required format
- Prepare your CSV with columns: Date, Title, Type, Amount, Currency
- Tap Import Transactions
- Select your CSV file from device storage
- Review the preview and confirm import
PDF Bank Statement Import
Extract transactions from PDF bank statements automatically:
- Upload PDF bank statements
- AI-powered extraction reads transaction data
- Review and import extracted transactions
CSV Export
Export your transaction data:
- Go to Settings → Data Export
- Tap Export Transactions
- Select date range and filters
- Choose CSV format
- Save to device or share
Analytics & Reports
Visualize your financial data with interactive charts powered by Syncfusion.
Available Visualizations
- Financial Overview: Dashboard with income, expenses, and balance
- Category Pie Chart: Visual breakdown of spending by category
- Bar Charts: Compare spending across different time periods
- Financial Trends: Line graphs showing spending patterns over time
- Budget Progress: Track how much of each budget you've used
Financial Tools
- Affordability Calculator: Determine if you can afford a purchase
- Investment Calculator: Plan investment returns and goals
- Period Navigator: Filter data by week, month, or custom range
Tips & Best Practices
🎯 Be Consistent
Record your expenses daily for the most accurate picture of your finances. Firebase sync ensures your data is always backed up.
🔍 Review Weekly
Check your analytics dashboard weekly to identify spending trends and areas where you can save money.
🏦 Use Multiple Wallets
Separate different types of accounts (personal, business, cash, credit) into different wallets for clearer tracking.
💰 Set Realistic Budgets
Use the analytics view to understand your average spending per category, then set budgets based on real data.
🌍 Track Currency Conversions
If you travel frequently, enable automatic currency conversion to see all expenses in your home currency.
📄 Import Bulk Data
Use CSV import to quickly add historical data from bank statements instead of entering transactions manually.
☁️ Leverage Cloud Sync
Your data automatically syncs via Firebase. Access your finances from any device by logging in with the same account.