Monetr

Monetr is an open-source budgeting web application and server designed to help users manage recurring expenses and determine the exact amount of funds available for unplanned spending. The software is deployed as a web application and server, allowing users to maintain full control over their financial data by hosting the service on their own infrastructure.

The application follows a budgeting philosophy based on the former Simple banking interface. This approach prioritizes a clear distinction between money allocated for fixed obligations and money available for discretionary use. By automating the tracking of recurring costs, the software provides a transparent view of a user's financial standing without relying on proprietary cloud services.

Key features

• Tracking of recurring expenses
• Calculation of remaining budget for unplanned spending
• Integration with Plaid for financial data
• Self-hosted deployment model
• Budgeting based on the Simple banking method
• Local development environment setup via Make
• Support for Plaid sandbox credentials

The technical architecture consists of a Go backend and a React frontend. To enable the synchronization of financial accounts, the software utilizes the Plaid API, which requires users to obtain their own Client ID and Client Secret. This integration allows the application to pull transaction and account data into the self-hosted environment. For developers, the project includes a Makefile to streamline the process of starting a local environment, managing dependencies, and cleaning up the installation.

This tool is intended for individuals who prioritize financial independence and data privacy. It provides a structured way to plan finances by focusing on the leftover balance after essential bills are covered, making it suitable for those who find traditional budgeting software too complex or invasive.