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Account, budget or goal: what is the difference?

A short Spendella glossary with examples. Choose the right section without mixing up different concepts.

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Updated 7 September 2026

Where to find it

On the website
These terms appear in the dashboard menu and forms.
On Android
The same terms are used in sections under More.
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An account is a place where you keep money. Its card shows its name, currency and balance. An account is a place where you keep money. Its card shows its name, currency and balance.
On the websiteAn account is a place where you keep money. Its card shows its name, currency and balance.An account is a place where you keep money. Its card shows its name, currency and balance.
01

Before you start

Spendella keeps records of your money. It does not open bank accounts or make bank transfers on your behalf.

02

What to do

  1. An account is where money is held: a card, cash or savings. For example, “Everyday card”, balance 20,000 RUB.
  2. A transaction records something that happened: buying groceries, receiving salary or moving money between your accounts.
  3. A category describes the purpose or source: groceries, transport or salary.
  4. A budget is a spending limit for a period. For example, up to 15,000 RUB on groceries this month.
  5. A goal is something you save for, such as 60,000 RUB for a holiday.
  6. A workspace is a separate set of financial records. Personal and shared household finances can use different workspaces.
03

If something goes wrong

  • Adding money to your own savings account does not increase your wealth: it is usually a transfer, not income.
  • A budget limit is not the balance of your bank card.
  • A Subscription entry tracks a service. It does not manage the subscription with its provider.

What you should see

Use a transaction for a purchase, a budget for a spending limit and a goal for savings.

A transaction is one movement of money. The category and account appear below the purchase name. A transaction is one movement of money. The category and account appear below the purchase name.
On the websiteA transaction is one movement of money. The category and account appear below the purchase name.A transaction is one movement of money. The category and account appear below the purchase name.
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