How do I reconcile?

I understand that, but is there a way of reconciling against a statement, or auto reconciling based on downloading the transactions?

so does "exactly" mean just the amount or the amount and additional properties (i.e. description, type). i have added a few transaction about 1.5-2 weeks before the real ones will go through with exact amounts but not descriptions and they don't get reconciled after the real one goes through and i sync-up.

I'm finding that sometimes reconciling is done correctly for some of my transactions. The problem, however, is that descriptions nowadays, at least from my bank, are including date/time stamps, which will make it impossible for Buxfer to reconcile using exact matching of descriptions, which is what it does now.

Having said that, though, exact mathing on amount alone can really cause headaches. This is why I switched from MIcrosoft Money, because it matched on amount, and was reconciling when I didn't want it to. I'd much rather have it NOT reconcile than reconcile incorrectly, IMO. Maybe Buxfer should consider 'like' matching of the description instead of exact matching.

Shashank,

I was assuming description because sometimes it reconciles for me and sometimes it doesn't, but your new information about it matching 'approximate' date is a better explanation.

Here's an example of what I see most of the time. I stop and get gas on July 1st for $50, later that night or the next day, I enter the transaction into Buxfer as Pending. Let's say the transaction doesn't clear my bank for several days, say July 7th. When Buxfer syncs to my bank and the transaction is downloaded, I now have 2 $50 transactions and have to delete one. However, now that you've told me about the date, I see now how some transactions get reconciled.

Maybe you could expand upon the date range looked at? I think that would really help. Or maybe if the description from the bank is "like" the description I entered (i.e., walmart) Or maybe have all 3, date, amount and description contains. I don't know that whatever algorithm you choose will make all users happy. Maybe have an option in settings that will allow a user to choose their reconcile method. IMO, I think something needs to change even if it's at least expanding the date range.

Here's why exact matching alone causes me headaches. Let's say I have a Bill Reminder that enters transactions automatically for my cable bill on the 1st every month for $100. The 1st comes around, the transaction is automatically entered, but I haven't yet paid the bill. Let's say on that same day, or the next, my wife goes shopping and spends exactly $100. What Microsoft Money did was reconcile the cable bill, when in fact it wasn't even paid yet. I have seen buxfer reconcile like this when there are exact amount transactions close together.

Whew, hope you can make sense of that!

Actually it can happen quite often, hence the problems we're having.

Since I didn't know the date was part of reconciling, I never paid attention. Next time I notice transactions aren't reconciling, I'll make note of the dates and let you know.

It would be great if a reconciliation screen is developed, especially for manually typed accounts