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[GH-ISSUE #5064] [Feature] Possibility to select custom dates for budget calculation #51279

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opened 2026-04-30 17:24:30 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 1 comment
GiteaMirror commented 2026-04-30 17:24:30 -05:00
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Originally created by @carlos-otero on GitHub (May 26, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/5064

Verified feature request does not already exist?

  • I have searched and found no existing issue

💻

  • Would you like to implement this feature?

Pitch: what problem are you trying to solve?

Many people do not receive their income on the 1st of the month — for example, they might be paid on the 25th, the last weekday of the month, or even biweekly. Budgeting apps that lock users into a strict calendar-month cycle (1st–30th/31st) force them to either:

Manually shift transactions or split budgets between months,

Deal with confusing reports that don’t align with their actual spending periods,

Or feel like their budget is "off" because it doesn’t reflect their real cash flow cycle.

This misalignment makes budgeting harder, less intuitive, and more error-prone. Users often give up because their actual financial reality doesn’t match how the app wants them to think about their money.

This feature gives users control over when their financial month starts, making the budgeting experience more personal, accurate, and sustainable.

Describe your ideal solution to this problem

The ideal solution is a flexible, user-defined budget cycle that allows each user to set the start date of their budgeting month — for example, the 25th of each month instead of the 1st.

💡 Key Features of the Ideal Solution:
Set Budget Start Date

In the Settings or during onboarding, allow users to select a preferred day of the month (1–28) as their budget start date.

Example: “Start my budget month on the 25th.”

Shift Budget Views and Calculations

All budget views, reports, and summaries (monthly totals, averages, trends) should adjust to reflect the selected cycle.

Example: If set to the 25th, “June’s budget” would run from May 25 to June 24.

Visual Feedback

Clearly display the budget date range at the top of the budget page and in reports (e.g., “Budget Period: May 25 – June 24”).

Highlight paydays and cycle boundaries in the calendar.

Smart Recurring Expense Handling

Allow recurring bills and income to adapt to the user’s cycle.

Example: Rent due on the 1st can be correctly handled even if the budget starts on the 25th.

Preview and Transition Options

When changing the start date, provide:

A preview of what the new cycle will look like.

The option to apply the change from next cycle or retroactively.

Mobile and Desktop Sync

This setting should apply consistently across all platforms and sync with cloud accounts or backups.

Teaching and learning

Onboarding Walkthrough

During first-time setup or account creation, ask:
"When do you usually receive your income?"
Provide a calendar picker or quick-select options like 1st, 15th, 25th, etc.

Contextual Hints

In the Budget or Reports tab, display a subtle tooltip:
“Budgets start on the 1st. Want to match your payday?” → [Change Start Date]

Settings Shortcut

Add a "Start of Budget Month" option prominently in Budget Settings.

Highlight in Updates/Changelog

When this feature is released, mention it in release notes, email newsletters, and in-app banners:
“Now you can start budgeting on your payday — choose your preferred date in Settings.”

Originally created by @carlos-otero on GitHub (May 26, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/actualbudget/actual/issues/5064 ### Verified feature request does not already exist? - [x] I have searched and found no existing issue ### 💻 - [ ] Would you like to implement this feature? ### Pitch: what problem are you trying to solve? Many people do not receive their income on the 1st of the month — for example, they might be paid on the 25th, the last weekday of the month, or even biweekly. Budgeting apps that lock users into a strict calendar-month cycle (1st–30th/31st) force them to either: Manually shift transactions or split budgets between months, Deal with confusing reports that don’t align with their actual spending periods, Or feel like their budget is "off" because it doesn’t reflect their real cash flow cycle. This misalignment makes budgeting harder, less intuitive, and more error-prone. Users often give up because their actual financial reality doesn’t match how the app wants them to think about their money. This feature gives users control over when their financial month starts, making the budgeting experience more personal, accurate, and sustainable. ### Describe your ideal solution to this problem The ideal solution is a flexible, user-defined budget cycle that allows each user to set the start date of their budgeting month — for example, the 25th of each month instead of the 1st. 💡 Key Features of the Ideal Solution: Set Budget Start Date In the Settings or during onboarding, allow users to select a preferred day of the month (1–28) as their budget start date. Example: “Start my budget month on the 25th.” Shift Budget Views and Calculations All budget views, reports, and summaries (monthly totals, averages, trends) should adjust to reflect the selected cycle. Example: If set to the 25th, “June’s budget” would run from May 25 to June 24. Visual Feedback Clearly display the budget date range at the top of the budget page and in reports (e.g., “Budget Period: May 25 – June 24”). Highlight paydays and cycle boundaries in the calendar. Smart Recurring Expense Handling Allow recurring bills and income to adapt to the user’s cycle. Example: Rent due on the 1st can be correctly handled even if the budget starts on the 25th. Preview and Transition Options When changing the start date, provide: A preview of what the new cycle will look like. The option to apply the change from next cycle or retroactively. Mobile and Desktop Sync This setting should apply consistently across all platforms and sync with cloud accounts or backups. ### Teaching and learning Onboarding Walkthrough During first-time setup or account creation, ask: "When do you usually receive your income?" Provide a calendar picker or quick-select options like 1st, 15th, 25th, etc. Contextual Hints In the Budget or Reports tab, display a subtle tooltip: “Budgets start on the 1st. Want to match your payday?” → [Change Start Date] Settings Shortcut Add a "Start of Budget Month" option prominently in Budget Settings. Highlight in Updates/Changelog When this feature is released, mention it in release notes, email newsletters, and in-app banners: “Now you can start budgeting on your payday — choose your preferred date in Settings.”
GiteaMirror commented 2026-04-30 17:24:32 -05:00
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@youngcw commented on GitHub (May 26, 2025):

Duplicate of #975

<!-- gh-comment-id:2909934269 --> @youngcw commented on GitHub (May 26, 2025): Duplicate of #975
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