Overview

First Steps

Now that you know the basics, let’s dive into how Climb Budget works. Your first steps include adding your accounts, setting up categories, and funding them with the money you have available. From there, it’s all about logging transactions, adjusting as needed, and staying on top of your financial goals.

1

Add Accounts
To start budgeting, you’ll need to add an account where your money lives. Begin with a checking account or something similar that has actual funds. Once added, you can start assigning money to your budget categories.

Read more about adding accounts

2

Set Up Categories
Next, set up your budget categories. You can edit, add, or rearrange them to fit your specific needs. These categories will help you organize your spending and make sure every dollar has a place in your budget.

Read more about editing categories

3

Fund Your Priorities
Now it’s time to fund your priorities. Assign money to your categories, but only use the funds you currently have. This ensures your budget stays realistic and helps you stay on track with your financial goals.

Read more about budgeted amounts

Once your budget is set up, the next step is using it to stay on track. Log your transactions as they happen—whether you’re spending or receiving income—to keep your budget up-to-date. Need to make adjustments? No problem. If you overspend in one category or priorities shift, you can easily move money around. The key is to stay flexible and engaged with your budget so you always know where your money is going and can adjust as life happens.

4

Add Transactions
Log transactions as soon as they happen—whether you're walking out of the grocery store or just made an online purchase. You can even split transactions across multiple categories to keep everything organized.

Read more about adding transactions

5

Adjust Your Budgeted Amounts
If you’ve overspent in one category, don’t worry! Simply adjust by shifting money from other categories. This keeps your budget flexible and ensures you're always in control of your spending.

6

Work on Charting Next Month's Income
Set aside money in a "Next Month Fund" category. Watch it grow as you contribute, and after a few months, you’ll be ready to cover a full month’s expenses in advance—giving you peace of mind and financial flexibility.