## Why
### Problem
When a refund (positive transaction amount) is assigned to a budget, it
incorrectly **increases** the cumulative spending instead of
**reducing** it. This causes:
- The spending chart line to go **up** on refunds instead of down
- The "Spent" amount to be inflated
- The "Remaining" amount to be understated
- Period rollover calculations to carry over incorrect amounts
### Root Cause
`BudgetTransactionService` uses `abs($transaction->amount)` when
creating budget transactions, which forces all amounts to be positive —
including refunds. Since expenses are stored as negative in the
`transactions` table and refunds as positive, `abs()` treats both as
spending.
## What
### Changes
- Replace `abs($transaction->amount)` with `-$transaction->amount` in
both `assignTransaction()` and `assignHistoricalTransactionsToPeriod()`
— expenses (`-5000`) become positive spending (`5000`), refunds
(`+1000`) become negative spending (`-1000`)
- Remove redundant `abs()` in `BudgetPeriodService::closePeriod()`
rollover calculation
- Add data migration to fix existing `budget_transactions` rows where
the original transaction was a refund
- No frontend changes needed — the chart and budget card already sum
`t.amount` directly
## Verification
### Tests
- Updated `assignHistoricalTransactionsToPeriod stores negated
transaction amount for expenses` — verifies expense sign is preserved
- Added `assignHistoricalTransactionsToPeriod stores refund as negative
amount` — verifies refunds reduce spending
- Added `budget spending correctly reflects mix of expenses and refunds`
— verifies net spending (expense - refund)
- Added `assignTransaction stores refund as negative budget transaction
amount` — verifies real-time assignment handles refunds
## Overview
We're excited to introduce budgeting capabilities to Whisper Money! This
feature helps you take control of your finances by setting spending
limits and tracking your progress over time.
## Screenshots
<img width="1316" height="793" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ac394d36-cded-4ea4-9883-120785e260f1"
/>
<img width="1315" height="907" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7c682474-5aa7-4388-b626-29b56f5ebbef"
/>
<img width="1315" height="992" alt="image"
src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/21eace45-23c6-472d-9aa0-0feb6db3fba4"
/>
## What's New
### Create Flexible Budgets
- Set budgets for specific categories or labels
- Choose from monthly, weekly, bi-weekly, or custom periods
- Set your own budget start date for better alignment with your pay
schedule
### Track Your Spending
- Visual spending charts show how much you've spent vs. your budget
- See at a glance which budgets are on track and which need attention
- View all transactions that count toward each budget
### Smart Budget Management
- **Carry Over**: Unused budget amounts automatically roll into the next
period
- **Reset**: Unused amounts return to your available money pool
- Edit or delete budgets anytime as your needs change
### Easy Access
- New Budgets section in the main navigation
- Quick overview cards showing budget status
- Detailed budget pages with spending history and transaction lists
## How It Works
1. Create a budget by selecting a category or label and setting your
spending limit
2. Your transactions are automatically matched to relevant budgets
3. Track your progress with visual charts and spending summaries
4. Adjust your budgets as needed to stay on track with your financial
goals
This feature is now available behind a feature flag and can be enabled
for users who want to start budgeting their expenses.
Víctor Falcón