How to assign a “category” to a single transaction?
I am a heavy user of this app and logging manually all transactions (deposits & withdrawals) from all my accounts (about 20). This includes every in and out of my accounts.
I would like to push the boundaries of this app to track my actuals vs. budget per category (e.g., groceries, travels, etc.). How is this possible? Any thoughts on how you are doing it?
It’s not possible. It’s not like Quicken or MoneyDance or GnuCash, it’s not an all-encompassing Personal Finance App. I started using this app because Quicken Premier just isn’t as nice for investments. I use both now. I’d love an app that combines the two concepts, but it doesn’t exist yet, and may never.
This is an open-source project, so if you want to try to add a feature like that yourself, you can.
@r3cursor Indeed, I’m aware that it isn’t the primary purpose of this app. Maybe someone has a clever workaround.
A clever workaround? You must not understand what I’m saying. You cannot turn Portfolio Performance into typical double bookkeeping accounting software that allows for the recording of transaction specific categories. Because even though I haven’t used the software for long, I can already see it’s not designed like that. In order to do what you are suggesting, it would have to be modified at a code level. Have you never used an app like the ones I just listed off? Perhaps that’s why my words don’t seem to be connecting.
The apps almost beautiful in its elegance, I get it, but you need to think about how it functions logically. Because it lacks basically all the features necessary to do what you want to do.
@r3cursor I definitely understood what you said and know what you are referring to.
I am aware that PP is not initially designed for the purpose of budgeting and accounting, but as heavy user logging all my transactions in this app for the past 5 years, I have been able to use it as an all-in-one money management. I’m not looking for another app because PP has so far been the best and most reliable solution on the market.
Thus, if someone is considering developing a basic categorization and budgeting feature for PP, it would boost the value of this app to the roof.
You’re absolutely right, it would be awesome if PP was turned into an app with those features. But the question you asked was if there was a way to assign a “category” to a single transaction, and then you followed that up by asking if there is a way to budget with this software. I gave you a straight answer, and tried to explain that it’s not possible with how it is designed. You insisted that you understood that it wasn’t designed that way, but you’re hoping someone has a clever workaround. And I’m telling you there is no “clever workaround”. The software would have to be modified substantially to do what you are asking. No one is going to hand you a solution here. I’m not saying it can’t be done or even that it won’t be done. I’m just telling you that right now it doesn’t exist. And if it did, EVERYONE would know about it and be using it.
I’m sorry if that’s not an answer that agrees with you but it is the truth. I’m just trying to save you time.
@r3cursor Thank you for your reply. I understand that you do not a solution, but hopefully the larger PP community has one.
Let’s keep this request very simple:
I trust this would address a problem that many PP users have.
Ahh, I see, you’re a troll. I hope you get banned. Also, if you want these things dude, you can do it yourself. The code is right on GitHub for you to clone.
@r3cursor Thank you for your colorful language.
Actually, I am genuinely interested in a real answer from the community.
I think r3cursor’s answer sums it up pretty well. The purpose of Portfolio Performance is to manage and analyze portfolios/investments. Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t mind if the community also developed a budgeting feature, even though I wouldn’t use it myself.
I have used several Personal Finance Apps. Quicken, specifically Quicken Premier is probably the best one for the average retail investor, at least for U.S. residents. Unfortunately, it has a huge number of problems and even though I say it is the best, that does not make it a good piece of software. Portfolio Performance helps fill in major gaps that Quicken Premier has, but it would be great if a product came out that took the best features of both.
In my opinion, you’ve done a good summary. I agree. It wouldn’t lose the original spirit and it would solve the problem.