Answered
What questions should I ask to understand my spending?
Start with three: how much did I spend this month, what did I spend the most on, and is that more or less than last month? Those three answers tell you more than most budgeting dashboards.
Here are 15 questions in total, grouped by what they reveal. Ask them once a month.
Free · No ads · 140+ currencies · Android (iOS coming soon)
Balance - Expense Tracker by Clarzen on Google Play
The big picture
- How much did I spend this month?
- How much did I earn, and how much did I keep?
- Am I spending more or less than last month?
Where it goes
- What did I spend the most on?
- What were my top three categories, and what share of spending is each?
- Which shop or service did I pay the most?
- What was my single biggest expense?
Small leaks
- How much did I spend on food delivery or eating out?
- How many times did I buy coffee or snacks?
- What's my average daily spending?
Looking ahead
- What bills are coming up in the next two weeks?
- How much do my subscriptions cost per month?
- At this pace, what will I have spent by the end of the month?
- How much of my budget is left?
- Which category grew the most over the last three months?
Turning answers into action
Don't try to fix everything. Pick the one answer that surprised you most and set a single change for next month, like a delivery cap or one subscription cancelled. Next month, ask the same question again and see if it moved.
Asking Balance
Every question on this list can be asked to Ask Balance in plain words, typed or spoken. It answers from your own records, follows up on "what about last month?", and suggests related questions to ask next.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I review my spending?
A quick check weekly and a proper look monthly works for most people. Daily reviews tend to lead to obsessing, not better decisions.
Which single question is most useful?
"What did I spend the most on?" It points straight at the category where a change will make the biggest difference.
Keep exploring
Track every expense. Ask anything.
Free to download, no ads, no bank login. Get Balance on Google Play and start tracking in minutes.
