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    [FEATURE] Budget Limit & Global View

    Why this feature?

    Keeping control of your spending is a bit like steering a boat: you can navigate by sight, but having a compass helps you stay on course. That's exactly what this new feature offers. It lets you set a flexible budget limit, there to guide you—not to restrict you.

    No stressful alerts, no hard stops. Just a clear visual indicator, visible to all participants, to help track your spending throughout the month without pressure.

    What it allows you to do

    With this optional limit, you can assign a suggested cap to each budget. A simple gauge shows you where you stand at a glance: green means all good; orange, heads up; red, you've gone over—but nothing stops you from continuing.

    And because a budget never exists in isolation, a monthly global view gives you the bigger picture: some categories may exceed the limit, while others stay under. It's all about balance—and now, you can see it clearly.

    Usage examples

    Take Clara. She creates a "Groceries" budget with a €600 limit. It's just a guideline, not a constraint. Each confirmed expense fills the gauge: 40%, 75%, 100%... She always knows where she stands.

    Meanwhile, her housemates have a "Going Out" budget that's running a bit hot. But in the monthly global view, they notice that groceries cost less than expected. The result: despite a few splurges, they're still within their overall monthly limit. That kind of perspective can really make a difference.

    And even if you set no limits at all, the gauge is still there to show your progress. You decide how much weight to give it.

    What you gain

    With this feature, you're no longer a passenger in your finances—you're in the driver's seat. You gain awareness, foresight, and most importantly, freedom. Because setting a limit isn't about restriction—it's about making informed choices.

    In shared budgets (like housemates or couples), everyone sees the same visual cues. This makes discussions easier, avoids surprises, and encourages calm, clear decision-making.

    And for solo users, it's a quiet but powerful way to stay on track.

    How it works (simply explained)

    When creating (or editing) a budget, you can choose to add an optional limit. Once set, each confirmed expense fills a color-coded gauge.

    Below 80%, the gauge is green. It turns orange as you near the limit, and red if you exceed it. No worries—nothing gets blocked. The gauge is there to inform, not to restrict.

    In the monthly view, you'll see all your budgets in one place: how much you've spent, how much you planned, and where you stand overall. A true dashboard, available to everyone, anytime.

    A foundation for going further

    This feature is more than just an indicator. It's a solid foundation for smoother, more mindful, more human budget management.

    It paves the way for future enhancements: personalized tips, historical comparisons, smart alerts... always with your freedom in mind.

    In the meantime, it's already here for you—quiet, flexible, useful. Give it a try, and see how a small reference point can make a big difference.

    Who this is for

    This feature is helpful if you:

    • want a simple guardrail without rigid rules
    • manage budgets with someone else and need one shared reference
    • tend to realize you're over budget only at the end of the month
    • want to compare budgets together instead of looking at each one in isolation

    How to set good limits (without guessing)

    If you're not sure what number to set, start with something realistic:

    1. Look at the last 1–2 months and pick a typical amount, not your “best month”.
    2. Add a small buffer (for example +5–10%) so the limit stays motivating, not stressful.
    3. If the budget is shared, agree on a simple rule: do we adjust the limit, or do we change spending?

    The goal is not to be perfect. The goal is to create a signal you can trust.

    What to do when you go over

    Going over the limit doesn't mean you “failed”. Use the global view to answer two calm questions:

    • Is this an exception? (one-off expense, surprise, seasonality)
    • What do we want to trade off? (reduce another category, or accept a higher monthly total)

    That mindset turns the limit into a decision tool instead of a guilt trigger.

    FAQ

    Does Boney block spending when the gauge is red?

    No. The gauge is an indicator, not a restriction. You can always continue adding expenses.

    Can limits be different for each budget?

    Yes. Each budget can have its own optional limit, depending on the category and your priorities.

    Is this useful even if I budget alone?

    Absolutely. It helps you spot drift early and avoid end-of-month surprises.