Create an account
Add a manual account so you can track balances and assign transactions.
Prerequisites
- Big Picture Money is unlocked (see Unlock the app)
Steps
- In the left navigation, click Accounts.
- Click Create account.
- Enter Account name (for example,
Main Checking). - Select Account type (for example, Checking).
- If you chose Loan, also select Loan purpose — Auto, Home, Student, Boat / RV, or Other. This helps Big Picture Money categorize loan payments from your checking account (see Transfers).
- For a Loan account, optionally enter Payment description hint — words that appear on your bank statement when you pay this loan (for example,
CHASE). Matching checking withdrawals can be categorized and linked automatically. - Confirm Currency (default USD).
- Enter Opening balance if the account already has money in it (optional; default
0). For loans, enter the amount you owe as a positive number. - Set Track balance — on by default for most types; off by default for Payment app and Other. Turn it off when the account should not appear on Home balances or in net worth.
- Click Save.
Expected result
- The new account name appears in the account list on the Accounts page
- A pinned view with the same name appears under Views in the left navigation
- An Other account with Track balance off does not appear on Home Account balances and does not change net worth
- After you quit and reopen the app (unlocking with your passphrase), the account is still listed