Envelope Budgeting for GnuCash

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DRAFT

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

This is an essay about potential development of GnuCash to address the frequently discussed topic of "Envelope Budgeting".

The idea of "envelope method" usage in budgeting is an attractive one within the GnuCash community, and has engendered numerous discussions and at least one request for programming to be done.

Simple Envelope Budgeting using Cash

How could GnuCash support

Equivalence of data for traditional "Budget vs. Actual" reporting and for Envelope Budgeting?

It may just be a matter of report presentation. So, behind the scenes, internal recording can just be as expenses.

Some demand for Envelope Budgeting features may be driven by shortcomings of GnuCash's traditional budgeting features, or documentation thereof

Envelope Budgeting for an individual, using an app

How could GnuCash support

Envelope Budgeting for an individual, using an app

How could GnuCash support

Implementation of envelope budget-related entries

Use multiple equity or liability accounts?

Use multiple asset accounts

Use GnuCash's existing Budget features

Apps

  • Example a
  • Example b

Recommendation

DRAFT, TENTATIVE

  • Relatively minor development of GnuCash could offer some features of Envelope Budgeting
    • Offer an "Envelope Budget" report as an alternative to existing "Budget vs. Actual" report
  • Without major changes, GnuCash will not significantly help single-user or multiple-user "user instances"(?)
    • Offer a report
  • GnuCash will not itself develop an app
  • If technical specifications can be sorted out, GnuCash could/should provide interface which supports the use of external "Envelope Budget"-style apps
  • Documentation should be developed in a new chapter within GnuCash Concept Guide and Tutorial? Or, as a non-mainstream approach, should it be separate, as a non-mainstream approach?


See also