How to track spending without linking your bank
You can track spending without connecting a bank. Start with one account and a recent, complete period of transactions. In Loaf, manual entry and CSV import are alternatives to an optional bank connection.
Start with a small, complete picture
Choose one card or checking account and a finished week or month. Record each purchase once, including its date, amount, and a description you will recognize. A complete short period is easier to check than a partial year.
Use a few categories you can act on, such as groceries, eating out, transport, and household bills. Add a note when a purchase needs context. You can refine the categories later.
Choose manual entry or a CSV
Manual entry suits a small number of purchases. If your bank offers a CSV download, import selected fields instead of retyping every row. Review the date range and account before importing; importing the same statement twice can duplicate your records.
Loaf reads a CSV on your device. The fields you choose to import become records in your Loaf account. Using manual entry does not mean the records stay only on your phone; Loaf stores and syncs your account data.
Separate spending from movement between accounts
A transfer between your own accounts is different from a purchase. So is a credit-card payment when the original purchases are already recorded. Review these entries before treating a total as spending.
Keep refunds identifiable, and compare your records with the statement for the same period. Pending purchases can change before they post, so avoid counting both a pending entry and its final posted replacement.
Decide whether automation is useful later
Manual tracking gives you a way to begin without bank authorization, but it requires keeping the records current. Optional Plaid connections can bring supported US account activity into Loaf; continued connections require Loaf Plus. You can start a Plus trial and connect a supported bank without an invitation.
Loaf is preparing its iPhone App Store release and currently serves US adults aged 18 or older with US-dollar accounts. Loaf Accounts on the web handles signup and bank connections. Loaf Connect lets you review spending and make supported changes through your AI app now.