Introduction
One of Saturation's powerful features is the ability to actualize your budget using the Actuals Log. This tool allows you to quickly import your receipts and invoices, streamline your budget tracking process, and view your actuals against your budget in real-time. Here's how to use it.
Step 1: Navigate to the Actuals Log
Inside your project, you'll find a sidebar menu on the left with three icons. The first one leads to your budget, while the second one - labeled 'Actuals' - is where you need to go. Click on it to access the Actuals Log.
Step 2: Enter Your Transactions
Now, you're ready to enter your transactions into the Actuals Log. Using the columns, you can specify the details of each expense or actual transaction. Here are the key fields you'll be using:
Date of Transaction: When did this expense occur? Enter the date here.
Transaction Type: What type of transaction is this? Choose from options like 'Time card', 'Credit card', 'Invoice', and so on.
Description: Add a brief description of the expense. This helps with identification and tracking.
Amount: Enter the amount of the transaction. This will be used to compare against your budgeted amounts.
Status: Indicate the status of the transaction. Options could include 'Paid', 'Unpaid', etc.
This setup allows for detailed tracking and categorization of your actuals. Plus, you can quickly import receipts and invoices, simplifying the process of tracking actuals against your budget.
Step 3: Tag the Actual to a Budget Category
Once you've entered a transaction, you can then tag it to a budget category. Simply use the 'Category' column to search for and select the budget account or detail that you want to link to.
Step 4: Review Your Budget
Once your actuals are tagged to your budget, they'll automatically reflect in your budget. Head back to your budget (click the first icon in the sidebar menu), and you'll see your actuals populated against your budgeted amounts, giving you a real-time overview of your financials.
With Saturation's Actuals Log, budgeting, and actualizing become significantly more streamlined and intuitive. Remember, the goal is to make your budgeting experience as smooth as possible - and the Actuals Log is designed to do just that!