Common Questions

How much money should I budget for each category?

Start by looking at your last 2-3 months of spending to see where your money actually goes. Use these amounts as your initial budget, then adjust based on your goals and priorities.

Common guidelines: Housing 30%, Transportation 15%, Food 12%, but adjust based on your actual needs.

What if I don't have much money to budget?

Budgeting is even more important when money is tight! Start by tracking where every penny goes, then look for small areas to cut back. Even budgeting £50 is better than not budgeting at all.

Focus on covering necessities first, then allocate any remaining money to your most important goals.

Do I need to track every single purchase?

Yes, for the best results. Small purchases add up quickly and can derail your budget. However, if tracking every expense feels overwhelming, start with purchases over £5 or £10.

The more accurately you track, the better insights you'll have about your spending patterns.

What happens if I overspend in a category?

Don't panic! Move money from another category to cover the overspending. The key is keeping your total budget balanced. This flexibility is what makes budgeting sustainable.

If you consistently overspend in a category, consider increasing that category's budget next month.

How often should I update my budget?

Review your budget monthly and make adjustments based on what you learned. For daily management, check your category balances weekly to stay on track.

Your budget should evolve as your life changes - job changes, moving, new goals, etc.

Should I budget money that I'm saving?

Absolutely! Savings goals should be treated as expenses in your budget. This includes emergency funds, retirement contributions, and saving for specific goals like vacations.

In zero-based budgeting, every penny gets assigned a job - including the job of growing your savings.

Can I connect my bank accounts automatically?

Currently, CashCat requires manual transaction entry. This also helps you stay more aware of your spending by actively recording each transaction. We are considering adding bank account integration in the future.

Most users find that manual entry only takes a few minutes per day and provides better spending awareness.

How do I handle shared expenses with roommates or partners?

For shared expenses, record your portion in the appropriate category. For example, if you split a £50 dinner bill, record £25 in your "Dining Out" category.

You can also create specific categories for shared expenses if you prefer to track them separately.

What about cash transactions?

It depends. If you withdraw it after you started CashCat, you can either record it as a transaction whenever you withdraw cash from an ATM. Alternatively, when you spend the cash, you can record those purchases in their appropriate categories. It depends how commited you are to budgeting!

I keep forgetting to track my purchases. What can I do?

Try setting a phone reminder every evening to check your bank app. You can also try your best to get into the habit of recording transactions immediately after making them, while you're still at the shop.

CashCat works best when you enter transactions quickly - as it relies on you being able to see how much you have left in each category.

My income varies each month. How do I budget?

Budget based on your lowest expected monthly income. Use higher-income months to build up buffers and save for leaner periods. Consider this an "income smoothing" strategy.

You might also create separate budgets for different income scenarios (low, medium, high months).

Budgeting feels restrictive. How can I make it more enjoyable?

Remember that budgeting gives you permission to spend, not restrictions. Include "fun money" in your budget so you can spend guilt-free. Focus on funding your values and priorities.

Think of your budget as a tool for achieving your dreams, not a limitation on your life.