How to Use PocketGuard: Your Personal Guide to Smart Budgeting

Step 1: Get PocketGuard Download and Install the app

For iOS (Apple Devices):

Tap the App Store on your iPhone or iPad.

Go to the search bar and type in —PocketGuard.

Click on the download icon to get the App installed.

Para instalarlo, debes abrirlo y crearte una cuenta.

For Android (Google Devices):

Google Play Store on your device.

Look up PocketGuard in the search box and hit “Install.“

Install the app and open it Initiate the creation of a new account or sign in with an existing one (Image credit: ProtonVPN)

Step 2: Set up Your PocketGuard Account

Sign Up:

After you open the app, you have option to sign up with your email, Google account or Apple ID. Select which method suits you the most.

Secure Your Account:

To give you peace of mind about your financial data, PocketGuard walks you through enabling two-factor authentication and proper password creation.

Step 3: Connect your bank account

Connecting Accounts:

PocketGuard works by connecting your bank accounts, credit cards, and loan accounts to track how much you are spending in real time—including outstanding balances—across all of your financial products. To do this:

Click the dashboard and Search for "Link Accounts"

Look Up Your Bank or Financial Institution

Automatic Updates:

Once you connect your accounts, PocketGuard continuously syncs transactions and balances so that you can watch every dollar you are spending.

Step 4: Set Up Your Budget

Create a Budget:

PocketGuard integrates your monthly income, regular expenses, and purchasing trends into its analysis process. And then it will propose a customized budget To set up your own budget:

Go to the "Budgets" section.

Categorize your spending (eg, Groceries, Entertainment, Transportation)

Determine how much you want to spend in each category and set a hard limit for every area on a monthly basis

“In My Pocket” Feature:

PocketGuard Pocket While specific amounts can be hidden for discretionary reasons, the “In My Pocket’ figures out how much spendable money is left after processing your bills, savings and goals to let you know what you can afford to blow responsibly.

Step 5: Track Your Spending

View Transactions:

It sorts your transactions (restaurants, utilities…) so you can immediately see how and where you spend. If necessary you may manually recategorize transactions.

Spending Alerts:

Create weekly or monthly spending alerts for each category so you know when you are close to overspending on something.

Step 6: Set Savings Goals

Create a Goal:

To save for something specific (like a vacation, or to build an emergency fund)

Tap the “Goals” tab.

Add the amount you want to save and specify a target date.

PocketGuard will aid in setting money aside for this goal from your monthly budget.

Track Progress:

PocketGuard lets you see at any given time how well you are doing in relation to reaching your goal (ie, X more dollars saved, and you can skim 20 bucks from that for an extra steak dinner).

Step 7 Get Your Finances in Line

Lower Your Bills:

PocketGuard also includes a tool to find better deals on services (like your internet and phone plans). Go to lower your bills section and find the ways to savings.

Debt Repayment Plan:

If you're getting out of debt, PocketGuard will also help you tailor a plan to pay down your balances. And it follows your progress and adapts to the evolution of your wallet.

Step 8: Reflect and Modify Your Budget

Monthly Reports:

Check Your Finances: Overview of income, expenses and savings at the end of every month pretty ahead. If needed, adjust your budget for next month based on this information.

Refine Categories:

But remember to reallocate your money as necessary — so you can adjust if you find that you're overspending on certain categories, create new categories for savings or paying off debt, and better reflect how much you actually spend in each category.

Conclusion

PocketGuard makes an excellent tool for those who want to achieve a better financial health. Use this guide to take advantage of all the right features that will help you track spending, save more efficiently and reach your financial goals. Be vigilant, never forget to monitor your budget and let PocketGuard keep you on top of smart money management.