bleeding.money

How to Gather Your Data

The "Default to Design" exercise is only as good as the data you put into it. To see your true financial reality, you need to look at what actually happened—not what you remember happening.

The most efficient way to do this is to download your transaction history directly from your
bank or credit card provider.

1. Log In (Desktop is Best)

Most bank mobile apps are designed for quick checks, not data exports.
Log into your bank’s full website on a computer to access the necessary tools.

2. Find the "Export" Tool

Every bank labels this differently, but you are looking for a button or link near your transaction list.
Common names include:

  • Download Transactions

  • Export Activity

  • Download CSV

  • Search/Filter Activity

  • May include down arrow icon

3. Choose the Right Format

When asked for a file type, always choose CSV (Comma Separated Values) or
Excel (.xlsx). This allows you to view the transactions in a spreadsheet. Avoid
PDF for this step—you can't easily sort or sum the numbers in a PDF.

4. Select Your Date Range

Ideally, download the last 3 months of transactions. This captures quarterly bills
(like trash or water) and smooths out "weird" months where you might have had
a one-time repair. The minimum to get you started is the last 30 days.

Common Bank Shortcuts

If you don't see the export button immediately, here is where it’s hidden on the most common platforms:

  • Chase: Click into your account > "Download account activity" (the down arrow icon above your transactions).

  • Bank of America: Click into your account > "Download" (near the top of the transaction list).

  • Wells Fargo: Click the "Download" icon or go to "Account Activity" > "Download Transactions."

  • Capital One: Click into your account > "Download" (above the transaction list on the right).

How to Use the Data

Once you have your CSV file:

  1. Open it in Excel or Google Sheets.

  2. Sort by "Description" or "Merchant." This groups all your Amazon, Grocery, and Utility charges together so
    you can see the totals instantly.

  3. Aggregate the data from all accounts and enter the totals for each category into the Page 1 of the template.