Help Manual

Step 1: Getting started:
First, you need to login to GainOrLoss. For purposes of this tutorial we are loggin in with a test account called Sample. He user name is Sample, and the password is Sample. Feel free to login to this account and run some test transactions whil you get comfortable. Alternatively you may create a new account and begin right way. To create a new account, you'll need to create a username and a password. Confirm your password, and then name your account. Do not use your actual account number! Name it something that you will understand. Now add your current balance. You can backdate as many transactions as you would like, but for creating your account that will do it.

Step 2: Your ledger:
Once you are successfully logged into the GainOrLoss website you will be directed to your ledger. Also new navigation will appear at the top of the page (Your Legder : Reports: Categories : Payees : Account Settings). This ledger is a listing of all your (and only your transactions) and is the power behind GainOrLoss.com. You can choose the date range (careful: more transactions cause a longer pause), the cleared or uncleared transcactions or scroll through your previous debits and deposits.

Step 3: Add a transaction to your ledger:
In the gray box above the ledger there are a number of text fields (Date, Cleared, Check No, etc). To add a transaction add a date (MM/DD/YYYY), a check number (optional), and a short description of the transaction. Now add the category. Categories are generic items (Food, Grocieries, Medical, Bills) and are the classification that your transaction belongs in. As you start typing a list will apear of previously added categories. Click the appropriate category to populate the field. Or continue typing an a new category will be added when you submit. The next field is Payee. Payee is the specific business you either spent money to or recieved money from. As you start typing a list will apear of previously added payees. Click the appropriate pauee to populate the field. Or continue typing an a new category will be added when you submit.

Step 4: Transaction Summary:
Once a transaction has been submitted to your GainOrLoss Account Ledger, it will be inserted into the top of the ledger automatically, and a transaction summary will be shown. In this summary you can edit the transactions details, delete a transaction, or view the last 5 payees in the same group as the transaction. This is a powerful tool in making sure you transactions are correct and everything balances.

Step 5: Main Reports:
Reports are listings of transactions. First, you will notice is a graphical breakdown of your spending by category (income is not weighed). With this you can see where your money is going and adjust it accordingly. Next you will notice is a listing off all transactions (20 per page) that ca be sorted by clicking the column headers. You can also edit a transaction from here. Clicking on either the category or payee with a transaction will take you diretly to that report. (See next step).

Step 6: Subject Reports:
Subject Reports are listings of transactions by category or payee. They allow you to quickly see how much you are paying or recieving from a single category or payee. At the top shows the amount the total amount in, the total amount out, and the percentage of the total.

Step 7: Catagory Management:
View and edit a list of all your categories. Categories can be sorted by clicking the column headers at the top.

Step 8: Budget Management:
Edit your Category names using the category edit window. Set spending limits for a category to recieve reminders via our email center.

Step 9: Payee Management:
View and edit a list of all your payees. Payees can be sorted by clicking the column headers at the top.

Step 10: Payee Addresses:
Edit your Payee names using the payee edit window. An optional step allows you add an address to a payee.

Step 11: Back up and Download:
Choose the start date and end date for your register. Upon hitting submit a text-delimited CSV file will be created and stored for you to download at any point. You can also take this files and open then in other programs like excel, Quicken, Money.

Step 12: Modify your Personal Information:
Your personal information can be added or modified at any time. This is completely optional, and you should only put in the information you are comfortable with. The main benefit of having this information is in the email center and the reciepts center.