Start with a minimal export
A statement can contain far more information than categorisation needs. When possible, create a redacted CSV with only date, short description and signed amount. Keep the original statement secure and unchanged. Never edit the original record merely to make a chart cleaner.
CSV formats are inconsistent
Banks use different column names, separators, quoting, date formats and signs. This lightweight parser expects a simple comma-separated table and cannot correctly handle every quoted comma or multiline description. Review the loaded row count and amounts before using totals.
How suggestions are made
The tool checks a few words in the description and whether an amount is positive. A merchant can serve several purposes, and transfers are not necessarily spending. Every category is editable because the account holder understands the context better than a keyword rule.
Avoid double counting
Credit-card payments, transfers between personal accounts and wallet top-ups can duplicate spending already recorded elsewhere. Decide the scope of the analysis before summing categories. Refunds and reversals also need consistent handling rather than being mistaken for ordinary income.
Use totals as prompts
Category totals can identify areas worth reviewing, but they do not prove waste or affordability. Housing, health and family obligations differ. Compare several complete periods and separate unusual events before drawing conclusions or setting an unrealistic target.
Method and limitations
The parser reads the first three comma-separated columns as date, description and amount, then applies visible keyword rules. It does not connect to a bank, recognise every CSV dialect, detect fraud, reconcile balances or provide tax classification.
A safe example workflow
Export a short period, create a working copy and remove columns that are unnecessary for categorisation. Confirm that debit and credit signs match the tool’s expectation. Load the copy, compare the number of visible rows with the source and correct obvious category suggestions. Keep transfers separate until deciding whether they represent spending or movement between accounts.
Review category totals against the original statement rather than assuming a successful import means a complete import. A description containing a comma can shift columns in this basic parser. Foreign-currency entries, fees and refunds may also need manual treatment. Delete the working copy according to your security needs after finishing.
What categories can hide
A monthly “Food” total combines groceries, social meals and perhaps work reimbursements. It explains where labels were assigned, not whether spending was appropriate. For a useful review, inspect the largest rows, separate unusual events and compare equivalent periods. Never use an automatic category as evidence of wrongdoing or as a tax conclusion.
Use this as an explanation and planning aid
The tool organises information entered by the user; it does not verify an employer, payslip, bank statement, negotiation range or legal entitlement. Financial, employment and tax rules vary by place, contract and date. Confirm important decisions with current official documents and an appropriately qualified professional.
Examples are illustrative and do not promise a salary outcome, tax treatment, reimbursement or savings result. Read original contracts, policies and statements. If a number or label conflicts with an official record, the official source and relevant provider should be checked rather than trusting a browser tool.
Privacy and record handling
Processing happens locally in this browser. Do not upload or enter account numbers, identity numbers, passwords, authentication codes, complete addresses or confidential employer information. Local storage, where used, belongs to this browser profile and is not encrypted backup or an approved records system.
Keep necessary source documents in secure storage with suitable access controls. Clear imported or generated data when finished on a shared device. For suspected fraud, unauthorised transactions, wage problems or identity theft, contact the relevant institution or authority through independently verified channels.
Document assumptions before acting
Write down the period, currency, source and definition behind important figures. Separate guaranteed amounts from targets, estimates and conditional benefits. A neat total can still be misleading when components use different periods or rules. Check arithmetic independently and retain the source needed to explain a decision later.
When another person is affected, communicate uncertainty instead of presenting the tool’s output as an official answer. Obtain written clarification through a verified channel where appropriate. Time spent confirming one ambiguous label or condition can prevent a much larger misunderstanding.
Review the final text or categories for plain-language accuracy. Remove placeholders, correct signs and periods, and distinguish a question from a conclusion. A useful result should make the next verification step easier, not create false confidence through polished formatting.
Frequently asked questions
Is my information uploaded?
No. Processing occurs locally in the browser.
Is this financial or employment advice?
No. It is a general educational and organisational tool.
Are results guaranteed?
No. Outcomes and official classifications depend on facts and current rules.
Should I enter account numbers?
No. Avoid sensitive identifiers and authentication information.
What should I verify?
Check original statements, contracts, policies and current official guidance.