What is Firefly III?
Firefly III is a free, open-source, and self-hosted financial manager that allows users to manage their finances with ease. It is designed to be a simple and intuitive tool for tracking expenses, creating budgets, and setting financial goals. With its double-entry bookkeeping system, Firefly III provides a robust and reliable way to manage personal finances.
Main Features
Some of the key features of Firefly III include:
- Double-entry bookkeeping system for accurate and reliable financial tracking
- Support for multiple accounts and currencies
- Automated budgeting and expense tracking
- Customizable reports and charts for financial analysis
- Secure data storage with optional two-factor authentication
Installation Guide
System Requirements
Before installing Firefly III, make sure your system meets the following requirements:
- PHP 7.2 or higher
- MySQL 5.7 or higher
- A web server (Apache, Nginx, or IIS)
Installation Steps
To install Firefly III, follow these steps:
- Download the latest version of Firefly III from the official website.
- Extract the downloaded zip file to a directory on your web server.
- Create a new database for Firefly III and import the included SQL file.
- Configure the Firefly III settings file to connect to your database.
- Access Firefly III through your web browser and complete the initial setup wizard.
How to Import CSV Files into Firefly III
Preparing Your CSV File
Before importing your CSV file into Firefly III, make sure it is formatted correctly:
- Use a comma-separated values (CSV) file format.
- Include the following columns: date, description, amount, and category.
Importing Your CSV File
To import your CSV file into Firefly III, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Firefly III account and navigate to the ‘Import’ page.
- Select ‘CSV’ as the import type and choose your file.
- Map the columns in your CSV file to the corresponding fields in Firefly III.
- Click ‘Import’ to begin the import process.
Category Budgeting Method with Safe Restore Points
What is Category Budgeting?
Category budgeting is a method of budgeting that involves assigning specific amounts to different categories of expenses, such as housing, transportation, and food.
How to Set Up Category Budgeting in Firefly III
To set up category budgeting in Firefly III, follow these steps:
- Create a new budget and select ‘Category’ as the budget type.
- Assign specific amounts to each category based on your financial goals and priorities.
- Set up safe restore points to ensure that you can easily revert to a previous budget if needed.
Download Firefly III Free
Why Choose Firefly III?
Firefly III is a free and open-source financial manager that offers many benefits, including:
- No monthly fees or subscription costs
- Complete control over your financial data
- Customizable and flexible budgeting options
How to Download Firefly III
To download Firefly III, follow these steps:
- Visit the official Firefly III website and click on the ‘Download’ button.
- Select the version of Firefly III that is compatible with your system.
- Follow the installation instructions to install Firefly III on your system.
Firefly III vs YNAB
What is YNAB?
YNAB (You Need a Budget) is a popular budgeting app that offers a simple and intuitive way to manage finances.
Key Differences Between Firefly III and YNAB
Some of the key differences between Firefly III and YNAB include:
- Cost: Firefly III is free and open-source, while YNAB offers a free trial and then charges a monthly fee.
- Customization: Firefly III offers more customizable budgeting options and allows users to create their own budget categories.
- Data control: Firefly III allows users to have complete control over their financial data, while YNAB stores data in the cloud.