I have tried most of the popular alternatives over the years. Always end up back in a spreadsheet because it is the only place I actually feel in control of the data.
The frustrating part was never the sheet itself. It was keeping it updated. I was spending a couple of hours every Sunday exporting CSVs from four different accounts, pasting them in, fixing categories, updating currency rates manually.
Eventually I just built the automation. Connected my accounts via Plaid, syncs everything into a Google Sheet in my own Drive automatically. Transactions, recurring charges, budget tracking, investment holdings, the whole thing.
The part I care about most: the sheet is mine. Lives in my Google Drive. If I walk away tomorrow it stays there forever. No company holding my financial history hostage.
Been testing it with a small group for a few weeks. Curious if this resonates with anyone here or if I am solving a problem that is just mine.
