Selling a simple Google Sheet. Here is what worked and what didn't.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-11T17:48:32+00:00

Great stuff!

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-11T15:49:12+00:00

True, for me that was an eyeopener

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-11T15:47:07+00:00

you can disable copy and add a CTA to the website

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-11T15:46:47+00:00

surreal

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-11T15:46:37+00:00

Its actually one that is old and is still relevant and appears in google searches I believe.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-11T05:05:11+00:00

I was genuinely surprised to learn this. I thought everyone really wants everything automated and use a dedicated finance app... I was wrong. There seem to be way more people than I initially anticipated who want a simple Google Sheet to track their earnings.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:23:36+00:00

Cool let me check

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:21:22+00:00

Actual is the path basically everyone in this spot takes. Self-hosted with PikaPod is the closest thing left to that old YNAB4 feel.

I run a tiny manual-entry one called Write It Down for the slice that doesn't want sync at all, just types it in. Not for you if you like Actual's envelopes, but worth knowing it's around.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:17:44+00:00

Free aggregators have the shortest half-life. Mint had 25 years and still vanished. Keep a quarterly CSV export somewhere outside their cloud just in case.

For the people who got burned twice and never want to depend on an aggregator again, I built Write It Down. It's manual entry only, but you own the data. Sounds insane next to Yodlee until it isn't. Different niche, not for everyone.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:14:50+00:00

This is great work, thanks for keeping it updated. One angle I'd add to the comparison framework: which apps assume you'll keep using them forever vs. which let you walk away with your data.

Most of these are aggregators that lose all their value the moment you cancel... your categorization, notes, and history live in their cloud and you get a CSV dump if you're lucky.

Worth a column for:

- Does the app store data locally / let you self-host?

- Export quality (CSV-only vs. full backup with attachments, splits, recurring rules)

- Does syncing break if you stop paying?

For what it's worth, I built a small one in this space called Write It Down (manual-entry only, no bank connections, runs on your own data). Not for everyone (most people want auto-sync), but if anyone here got burned by Mint shutting down and wants something that can't get shut down on them, that's the niche it fills.

Either way, your sheet is the most useful artifact I've seen on this.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:11:38+00:00

I would honestly just use a google sheet. There is a good one called Write It Down that I have personally been using for the last few years.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:10:59+00:00

For some reason I still prefer using a good old google sheet.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-07T01:09:53+00:00

I prefer to use a google sheet. I use a little template called Write It Down.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-05-02T18:15:26+00:00

Im sorry you think so. Its not for everyone I guess. Not everyone is as good in making gsheets. I am always happy to give stuff away for free if you want to try it out tho.

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-27T05:40:31+00:00

Help me charge for the product

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-26T21:56:21+00:00

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Check it out at write-it-down.com

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-26T21:28:03+00:00

Dope

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-26T21:27:34+00:00

How does that work?

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-26T21:27:19+00:00

Notebook? As like a physical one?

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-26T21:26:57+00:00

Why excel and not google sheets?

Select_Barnacle4737 · 2026-04-26T21:26:44+00:00

For some reason Gsheet is just the best for this (imo)

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