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Welcome to Kualia

This guide walks you through everything you need to get started with Kualia and envelope budgeting.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Sign up at app.kualia.com or download the iOS app. You can sign up with:
  • Email - receive a one-time passcode
  • Google - sign in with your Google account

Step 2: Set Up Your Workspace

Your workspace is your budgeting environment. After signing up, you’ll create one with a name that makes sense for you (e.g., “Personal Budget”, “Family Finances”).

Step 3: Configure Your Budget

  1. Review default categories - Kualia creates starter categories for you
  2. Customize category groups - add, rename, or remove groups to match your life
  3. Add categories - create categories for each expense type
  4. Set your income - tell Kualia your expected monthly income

Step 4: Add Your Accounts

Add all your financial accounts:
  1. Connect your bank for automatic imports (US/Canada)
  2. Add manual accounts for banks without Plaid support or cash accounts
  3. Set starting balances for each account

Step 5: Assign Your Money

Now comes the core of envelope budgeting:
  1. Look at your Ready to Assign balance
  2. Start assigning money to your most important categories first
  3. Work your way down until Ready to Assign is $0

Step 6: Set Targets

Add targets to your categories so Kualia knows how much each one needs:
  • Monthly bills → Recurring targets
  • Flexible spending → Recurring with Rollover targets
  • Savings goals → Maintain Balance targets

Step 7: Track Recurring Bills

Create recurring transactions for your regular bills and subscriptions. This helps you track what’s been paid and what’s coming up.

Next Steps

Set Up Your Budget

Deep dive into budget configuration.

Connect Your Bank

Step-by-step bank connection guide.