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Quickstart

This guide will take you from signup through creating your first budget category and logging your first transaction. By the end, you’ll understand the core workflow of zero-based budgeting in CashCat.
1

Create your account

Visit cashcat.app and sign up with your email address. CashCat uses secure authentication to protect your financial data.Once you verify your email, you’ll be taken to your budget dashboard.
2

Set up your accounts

When you first open CashCat, you’ll see the onboarding overlay. Click “Create Your Budget!” to begin.The Account Modal will open automatically. Here you’ll add your financial accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, etc.).For each account:
  • Enter the account name (e.g., “Main Checking”)
  • Set the current balance
  • Choose the account type
Don’t worry about being perfect here. You can always edit or add accounts later from the settings menu.
3

Create your first budget category

After closing the Account Modal, the Manage Budget Modal will open in wizard mode.This is where zero-based budgeting begins. Create categories for how you want to spend your money this month:
  • Groceries — for food shopping
  • Rent — for housing costs
  • Entertainment — for fun activities
  • Transportation — for gas or transit
For each category:
  1. Enter a category name
  2. Set a monthly budget amount
  3. Click Add or press Enter
The goal is to assign all your income until you have zero dollars unassigned. This ensures every penny has a purpose.
4

Log your first transaction

Now that you have accounts and categories, you’re ready to track spending.When you make a purchase:
  1. Open the transaction entry form on your budget dashboard
  2. Enter the amount you spent
  3. Select the category (e.g., “Groceries”)
  4. Choose which account the money came from
  5. Add a description (optional but helpful)
  6. Save the transaction
Your budget will automatically update. The category will show how much you’ve spent and how much remains for the month.
5

Stay on track

The core workflow is simple:
  • At the start of each month: Assign all your income into categories
  • Throughout the month: Log transactions as you spend
  • Before making purchases: Check your category balances to stay within budget
Unspent money in categories will automatically roll forward to future months, so you never lose progress toward your goals.

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Next steps

Installation

Install CashCat on your phone for on-the-go budgeting

Key features

Explore custom goals, flexible editing, and more
Pro tip: The best way to build a budgeting habit is to log transactions immediately after making them. Install the mobile app so CashCat is always in your pocket.

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