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🚀 Getting Started with FinTrack Platform

Welcome! This guide will help you set up FinTrack Platform and start managing your finances like a pro in just a few minutes.

📋 What You'll Need​

Before we begin, gather these items:

  • ✅ Email address for account creation
  • ✅ Recent bank statements or transaction CSV files
  • ✅ List of your accounts (checking, savings, credit cards, investments)
  • ⏱️ 15-20 minutes to complete initial setup

Step 1: Create Your Account 👤​

  1. Visit FinTrack Platform
  2. Click "Sign Up" in the top right corner
  3. Enter your email address and create a secure password
  4. Verify your email address (check your inbox for a verification link)
  5. Sign in to your new account
Pro Tip

Use a strong password and consider enabling two-factor authentication later for extra security!

Step 2: Set Up Your First Account 🏦​

Once logged in, you'll be prompted to add your first financial account:

  1. Click "Add Account" on the dashboard
  2. Enter account details:
    • Account Name: "Chase Checking" or "Wells Fargo Savings"
    • Account Type: Checking, Savings, Credit Card, or Investment
    • Initial Balance: Your current account balance
  3. Save your account

You can add more accounts later - start with your primary checking account.

Step 3: Import Your Transactions 📊​

This is where the magic happens! Import your transaction history:

  1. Download transaction history from your bank's website

    • Most banks offer CSV exports in your online banking
    • Export the last 3-6 months for best results

  2. Navigate to the Transactions page

  3. Click "Import CSV"

  4. Upload your CSV file

  5. Map the columns (FinTrack will auto-detect most formats)

  6. Review and confirm the import

Option B: Manual Entry​

  1. Click "Add Transaction" on the Transactions page
  2. Fill in transaction details
  3. Select the appropriate account and category
  4. Save the transaction
Supported Banks

FinTrack Platform works with CSV exports from major banks including Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Citi, and many others.

Step 4: Set Up Smart Categories 🏷️​

Categories help you understand where your money goes:

Default Categories​

FinTrack comes with smart default categories:

  • Income: Salary, Freelance, Investments
  • Expenses: Groceries, Dining, Transportation, Utilities
  • Transfers: Savings, Investments, Account Transfers

Create Custom Categories​

  1. Go to Categories page
  2. Click "Add Category"
  3. Choose category type (Income, Expense, Transfer)
  4. Name your category (e.g., "Pet Expenses", "Gym Membership")
  5. Pick a color and icon
  6. Save your category

Step 5: Create Automation Rules 🤖​

This is where FinTrack Platform really shines! Set up rules to automatically categorize transactions:

Create Your First Rule​

  1. Navigate to Unified Rules page
  2. Click "Add Rule"
  3. Set conditions (e.g., "If description contains 'STARBUCKS'")
  4. Set actions (e.g., "Categorize as Dining Out")
  5. Test and save your rule

Use Pattern Detection​

  1. Go to Rules → Pattern Detection
  2. Click "Analyze Transactions"
  3. Review suggested rules based on your transaction history
  4. Approve rules that look correct
  5. Edit or create custom rules as needed
Smart Rules Examples
  • Rent/Mortgage: "If amount equals $1,200 → Housing"
  • Salary: "If description contains 'PAYROLL' → Salary"
  • Coffee: "If merchant contains 'STARBUCKS' → Dining Out"
  • Gas: "If merchant contains 'SHELL' → Transportation"

Step 6: Explore Your Dashboard 📈​

Now that you have data and rules, explore your insights:

Cash Flow Overview​

  • Income vs Expenses: See your monthly financial flow
  • Savings Rate: Track how much you're saving each month
  • Account Balances: Monitor all accounts in one place

Expense Analysis​

  • Category Breakdown: Pie charts showing where money goes
  • Trends Over Time: Line charts showing spending patterns
  • Sankey Diagrams: Visual flow from income to expenses to savings

Investment Tracking​

  • Investment Contributions: Track 401k, IRA, and brokerage contributions
  • Portfolio Growth: Monitor investment account balances
  • Asset Allocation: Understand your investment distribution

🎯 Next Steps​

Congratulations! You've set up FinTrack Platform. Here's what to do next:

Week 1: Data Collection​

  • Import transactions from all your accounts
  • Set up basic automation rules
  • Review and adjust categories

Week 2: Refinement​

  • Create more specific rules based on your patterns
  • Set up investment tracking
  • Explore advanced dashboard features

Week 3: Optimization​

  • Analyze spending patterns and identify savings opportunities
  • Set financial goals and budgets
  • Share insights with family members (if applicable)

💡 Pro Tips for Success​

Data Quality Matters​

  • Import complete transaction history for better insights
  • Regularly update account balances
  • Review and fix miscategorized transactions

Start Simple, Scale Up​

  • Begin with major categories (Housing, Food, Transportation)
  • Add specific subcategories as you learn your patterns
  • Don't over-categorize initially

Use Automation​

  • Set up rules for recurring transactions first
  • Use pattern detection to discover new automation opportunities
  • Review and approve suggested rules regularly

Regular Maintenance​

  • Check in weekly to review new transactions
  • Update rules as your spending patterns change
  • Export data monthly for your records

❓ Need Help?​

🎊 You're All Set!​

Welcome to the FinTrack Platform community! You now have the tools to:

  • ✅ Understand where your money goes
  • ✅ Automate tedious categorization tasks
  • ✅ Visualize your financial flow
  • ✅ Track your progress toward financial goals

Ready to dive deeper? Explore our Dashboard Features or learn about Advanced Automation.

Happy budgeting! 💰