Getting Started
Welcome to Assign! Here's how to get started with managing your finances:
Initial Setup
- Set Your Paycheck: Go to Settings and configure your paycheck amount and frequency (biweekly or monthly)
- Add Budget Items: Navigate to the Budget tab and add your monthly budget categories (e.g., Rent, Groceries, Utilities)
- Set Next Payday: Configure your next payday date for accurate income forecasting
- Enable Notifications: Turn on payment reminders in Settings to never miss a bill
💡 Tip: Start by adding your most important budget items first. You can always add more categories later as you get comfortable with the app.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a budget item?
Go to the Budget tab, tap the "+" button, enter the category name and monthly target amount. You can also link it to a transaction category for better organization.
How do I track a payment toward a budget item?
When adding a transaction, select "Budget Payment" as the source and choose the budget item. The progress bar will automatically update to show how much you've paid.
Can I add one-time budget items for specific months?
Yes! In the Budget tab, you can add "Month-Only Items" that only apply to the selected month. These are perfect for one-time expenses or special occasions.
How do recurring payments work?
Go to the Recurring tab and add subscriptions, bills, or other recurring payments. Set the frequency (daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly) and due date. The app will show upcoming payments in a calendar view and can send you reminders.
How do I set up payment reminders?
Go to Settings → Notifications and enable payment reminders. You can choose how many days before the due date you want to be notified (1, 3, 7, or 14 days). Make sure to grant notification permissions when prompted.
Can I track multiple debts?
Yes! Go to the Debt tab and add as many debts as you need. You can track credit cards, loans, and other debts. Record payments to see your progress over time with visual charts.
How do I export my data?
Go to Settings → Data Management → Export Data. This will create a JSON file with all your data that you can save or share. This is useful for backups or transferring data to a new device.
What happens if I reset all data?
Resetting all data will permanently delete all your budget items, transactions, recurring payments, debts, and settings. This action cannot be undone. Make sure to export your data first if you want to keep a backup.
Does the app sync my data to the cloud?
No. Assign stores all your data locally on your device. We don't collect, transmit, or store any of your financial information on external servers. Your data stays private and secure on your device.
What does "Extra Paycheck Detection" mean?
If you're paid biweekly, you'll have 26 paychecks per year, which means some months will have 3 paychecks instead of 2. The app automatically detects these months and can help you plan how to allocate the extra income (toward debt, buffer, or both).
How do budget warnings work?
The app automatically calculates if you're spending too fast based on how much time has elapsed in the month. If you've spent 70% of your budget but only 50% of the month has passed, you'll see a warning. These warnings help you stay on track.
Can I use the app offline?
Yes! Assign works completely offline. All your data is stored locally on your device, so you don't need an internet connection to use the app. The only feature that requires connectivity is downloading the app itself.
Features Guide
📊 Overview Dashboard
The Overview tab shows your financial summary at a glance:
- Remaining Budget: How much you have left to spend this month
- Income & Expenses: Total income and expenses for the month
- Net Total: Your income minus expenses
- Budget Warnings: Top 5 categories at risk of exceeding budget
- Forecast: Projected income based on your paycheck frequency
💵 Budget Management
Manage your monthly budget with these features:
- Base Budget Items: Recurring monthly categories that roll over each month
- Month-Only Items: One-time budget items for specific months
- Monthly Adjustments: Adjust budget amounts per month without changing base targets
- Progress Bars: Visual indicators showing how much you've paid vs. your budget
- Spending Trends: Mini sparkline charts showing 6-month spending history
🔄 Recurring Payments
Never miss a bill with these features:
- Calendar View: See upcoming payments in a 2-week or full-month calendar
- Multiple Frequencies: Daily, weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly
- Categories: Organize by Subscriptions, Bills & Utilities, Insurance, Loans, Income, or Other
- Payment Reminders: Get notified before payments are due
💳 Debt Tracking
Monitor and pay down your debts:
- Multiple Debts: Track credit cards, loans, and other debts
- Payment History: Record all payments and see your progress
- Visual Charts: See total owed vs. amount paid over time
- Progress Bars: Color-coded indicators (green to red for credit cards)