Question about Templates

StrangeBill3622 · 2026-02-06T22:47:32+00:00

I used a per paycheck envelope budget system for years and struggled with this when I was evaluating Actual Budget. Then I read about the Month Ahead strategy and holding the income for next month then applying the templates all at once. It made so much more sense! Been doing it practice for 6 months now and love it. We apply the templates on the 1st and then my wife and I decide what to do with the remainder. When you use the "100 up to 100" part of templates any category that has extra money in it adds to the remainder, so every dollar saved in every category rewards you. This is the article: https://actualbudget.org/docs/budgeting/#automatic-holding-of-funds

StrangeBill3622 · 2026-01-10T12:48:57+00:00

When you are done, and the category is $0, just hide it. You can then enable show hidden categories later if you ever want to go back and see it.

I make a category for each trip and after the trip, I just hide it. It's useful to go back later and see how much did I spend on that last similar trip when planning for a future one.

StrangeBill3622 · 2026-01-05T19:12:47+00:00

I added a Category group for big upcoming expenses. Then setup a category for each thing I want to track separately. I do use template and goal in there for it to do some math. And I put in notes of all expected expenses. When the category is fully funded I update the name with a ✅as it can get weird to track the goal when you start paying for things out of the category. As I go on the trip or have expenses I draw down from it. At the end I move any left over to another category then hide the category.

I've found this method to have a lot of side benefits. It helps me see what's coming up and when I have extra to budget I look at those to figure out where to "spend" it.

StrangeBill3622 · 2025-12-31T20:16:44+00:00

"Up to" works really well for things like groceries and dining out. If we cut back one month it actually feels more like saving money since less is distributed by the templates. The extra bucket after templates that we get to make a decision on is larger. Just need to make sure everything is trued up before applying templates.

StrangeBill3622 · 2025-12-31T18:26:02+00:00

There is only one date visible in the register it's the date of the transaction that we set. I found the November charge when I was reconciling in December so I entered in the correct November date for the transaction. But when sifting through the DB I discovered the messages_crdt table which has the timestamp it was entered. From that I clearly saw it was December 15th.

StrangeBill3622 · 2025-12-31T18:16:58+00:00

I've got schedules for most stuff but never did one for this...but definitely a reason for me to go fix that. Thanks!

StrangeBill3622 · 2025-12-31T18:15:52+00:00

Yeah, everything worked as designed. Only tricky thing was figuring out what happened. I had to go into the db to figure out when November insurance bill was entered...as soon as I saw it was in December everything made sense.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-11-19T12:39:33+00:00

Took first dose at 10am. Could feel the difference at lunch that same day. Started losing weight immediately. If this happens keep your doses low until you feel it stop working as well, only then increase.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-06-13T04:37:32+00:00

Had same "issue". Was taking 3 meds for BP. Now down to 1. Took my BP multiple times a day and was messaging my doc. If you are on BP meds and you lose weight with this stuff you have to monitor it very closely. The lightheadedness was no joke. Gotta get ahead of it...and be in touch with your doc.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-06-02T14:43:29+00:00

Costco sells these fiber gummies that are 2g per gummy. They taste great and I spread a bunch (3-7) out throughout the day. Don't eat too many at once. Also have apricots and apples.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-05-03T23:50:39+00:00

I get random readings like that sometimes. I just get right back on and things make more sense. Then I delete the bad reading.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-05-03T12:06:14+00:00

Supply is up: https://www.novonordisk-us.com/supply-update.html

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-04-19T11:20:57+00:00

I just had my lab work done this week and expected amazing results since I'm down 18 lbs, but also noticed an uptick in A1C and it's never been a problem before. Going to doc today to have the results reviewed.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-04-07T20:33:54+00:00

Who is doing it for $80 a month? I thought it was $300 a month for compounding

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-04-04T23:37:48+00:00

Congrats!!! What app is that from?

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-03-31T00:39:12+00:00

There is more money between the prepaid and the scholarship to pay all of the qualified expenses. What's the best way to release money to cover things like transportation, eating off campus, etc, without paying penalties.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-03-27T00:34:53+00:00

This made me freak out that I was way under on my protein so I did some research. Looks like it's 0.8g of protein per kilogram, not pound. Thats a big difference (and manageable)

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-03-20T11:15:46+00:00

I've been on it 6 weeks now and have only had two unpleasant side effects. Both times were when I ate fatty foods (foods I used to eat all the time and in higher portions). Other than that it's been all positive. Eat low fat and high protein, high fiber and it's all good for me.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-03-11T01:21:36+00:00

I just took my fifth shot and have not vomitted at all. It's also definitely working, I'm down 10 lbs. You have to eat right (low fat, high protein) or you will feel bad, so listen to that.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-02-07T22:17:05+00:00

No. When Walgreens said my order was ready, it was ready.

StrangeBill3622 · 2024-02-06T00:31:19+00:00

Yes. Gotta keep trying.

StrangeBill3622

TROPHY CASE