When you add or edit bank postings (transactions), you get into a window, that works in the following manner.
Buttons.
You can use the <tabulator> key or the mouse to move between the different fields.These buttons apply:
Ok
- Accept the input and save the data from the fields you have changed.
Cancel
- Disregard any changes made. Do not add or edit any data.
Help
- This page here.
Keys.
Along with the usual keys to navigate within the window, you can also use the Up and Down arrow keys when you are in the "value date" field.
Fields.
The fields in the windows, have the following meanings:
Value Date
The date from which the bank calculates interest. In many countries, banks do not calculate interest from the day you have deposited money, but rather from the value date. The value date is usually 1 bank day after your deposit. So if you make a deposit on a Friday, the value date will be the following Monday. On the other hand, if you make a withdrawal, the value date is the same day. That's one of the ways bank make money.
Amount
The amount deposited or withdrawn. With a deposit, you just enter the amount. For a withdrawal, you must prefix the amount with a minus sign (-).
Text
In the text field, you can enter any text you like. This is usually used to explain what the money in the transaction was used for.
Checked
When you have checked the transaction against your bank statement, you can use this field. This can help you consolidate your accounts.
Budget code
The budget code is used, so that you can see your actual spending in comparison with your budget. The list presented, is coming from the definitions in the budget function. Please note, that in the bank transactions window, you can mass assign budget codes.
Credit Rate(s) / Debit Rate
Here the default values for the account will show up. If for some reason the interest rates have changed for just one transaction, you can enter other rates here. Mass assignment of interest rates can be done in the "Edit bank accounts" window.
Intervals.
Please note, that rates can be entered for intervals. Some times, banks gives you higher interests, the more money you have in your account. You can enter such intervals and rates in pairs. Example 1: Rate 1: 0.5%, Interval 1: 4999, Rate 2: 2%. This reads: from 0 to 4999, you get 0.5% in interest, and for anything more, you get 2% interest. Example 2: as example 1, but also: Interval 2: 9999, Rate 3: 4%. Now there's a third interval, so that from 5000 to 9999 you get 2%, and anything more you get 4%.
Rate changes.
Once in a while, banks change the interest rates. In order for the interest calculation to work, you should enter "dummy" transactions for the dates, where the banks change the rate. Eg. on the 25. May, the bank changes its rate from 0,25% to 0,50%. On all transactions up until the 25. May, your transactions have a rate of 0,25%, and even though you have no transactions for the 25. May, you enter a "dummy" transaction, with an amount of 0. For transactions after the 25. May, you enter the new rate of 0,5%. Remember to set the default rate for the account also!
After.
If you have chosen to add bank transactions, and you press either the <enter> key or the Ok button, you'll be asked if you wish to enter more transactions. <No> will bring you back to the bank transactions window. <Yes> will let you add more transactions, and the last transaction date will be remembered.
When bank transactions have been added or edited, all totals will be recalculated - this takes a moment.
