---
title: Plan and understand group spending
description: Configure budgets and trip dates, then understand spending by category and payment method.
---

# Plan and understand group spending

The Spending tab answers how much the group spent, where the money went, and how the current pace compares with an optional plan.

## Group and category budgets

Any accepted member may configure one optional group budget and independent category limits. They are informational: exceeding a limit never blocks an expense.

## Optional trip dates

Inclusive start and end dates add trip context. When a total budget and active date range exist, BranchBalance shows the remaining budget divided across the remaining days, rounded down to whole minor units.

## Categories and payment methods

New expenses use a fixed category and Card, Cash, or Other payment method. Legacy expenses without these fields remain valid and appear explicitly as Uncategorized or Unspecified.

## Filters

Combine category, payment method, payer, and shared-versus-Just-me filters. Filtered views never change the underlying balances or budget calculations.