[moneydance] Fw: Envelope budgeting

[Graham Borland]

Roz Wild wrote:
> Note that this approach cannot be used if you still wish to use reports and 
> charts in Moneydance. I think it might be a good idea if the wiki page made 
> this clear. I also found it difficult to keep track of which column things 
> should be entered in.

I quite agree, it's awkward. Doing transfers from one envelope to 
another means you put the amount in the opposite column from the one you 
think it should be. I get confused by this every time.

All that would be needed to make it work seamlessly and intuitively 
would be:

1a. Allow categories to be listed on the home page, c.f. bank accounts, 
so you can see envelope balances alongside your physical bank balances.

OR

1b. Update the "Edit Categories" window so that negative balances are 
drawn in red. (And zero balances are drawn in light grey?)


2. Amend the way Expense categories work, or provide a new "Envelope" 
type of category, so that they show a positive balance when funds are 
available to spend (as Income categories currently do) but which work as 
Expenses for graph/report purposes.


I believe these two simple changes would provide all that we need for 
genuine envelope budgeting support with no confusion or difficulty.


-- 
Graham Borland
graham at moonbog.net