How Can We Help?

How do I cancel my subscription?

Your subscription is managed through Apple's App Store. To cancel:

• Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad
• Tap your name at the top
• Tap "Subscriptions"
• Find PayCheck Budget and tap "Cancel Subscription"

You'll retain access until the end of your current billing period.

How does the 30-day free access work?

New users receive full access to PayCheck Budget for 30 days beginning on first launch. No card, account, or App Store subscription is required, and you are not charged automatically when the 30 days end. Afterward, you can choose a monthly or annual Premium subscription in the app to continue using premium features.

How does partner sharing work?

Partner sharing uses your private iCloud account to sync budgets in real-time. Both you and your partner need to:

• Be signed into iCloud on your devices
• Have PayCheck Budget installed
• Have full access through the introductory 30-day period or Premium

One person generates a share link from Settings → Partner Sharing, and the other person accepts it. Changes sync instantly between both devices.

Can I use this if I'm not paid semi-monthly?

Absolutely! While PayCheck Budget was originally designed for semi-monthly pay schedules, it works with any pay frequency:

• Weekly (set paychecks every 7 days)
• Bi-weekly (every 14 days)
• Semi-monthly (15th and last day)
• Monthly (once per month)
• Irregular income, bonuses, overtime, or freelance pay

Your regular schedule continues automatically, and you can add as many one-time paychecks as a month requires.

How do I add an extra or irregular paycheck?

Open the Budget tab, tap Manage Paychecks, then choose Add Another Paycheck. Give it a name, date, and amount. Added paychecks work alongside your regular schedule, so they are useful for overtime, bonuses, freelance income, or a third biweekly payday.

How do I assign a bill to a specific paycheck?

Add or edit the bill, then choose the paycheck that should cover it in the Paycheck field. The assignment stays attached to that paycheck even if dates or display order change. If you remove an added paycheck that has assigned items, the app warns you and helps move them safely.

Is my financial data safe?

Yes. PayCheck Budget is privacy-first by design:

• No bank linking: We never connect to your bank accounts
• Your private iCloud: All data syncs through your personal iCloud account, not our servers
• No third-party access: We can't see your data and we never sell it
• Local storage: Everything is stored on your devices first

What is the "Can I Afford It?" feature?

This is our signature feature that helps you make spending decisions while shopping. Tap the button on any paycheck card and ask a question like "Can I afford $120 on groceries?" The app instantly calculates:

• How much budget you have available
• Days until your next paycheck
• Your safety buffer (emergency cushion)
• Safe-to-spend amount per day
• Which paycheck has more budget
• Category spending (if relevant)

You get a clear yes/no answer with detailed reasoning, so you can make confident decisions on the spot.

How does receipt scanning work?

Tap "Scan Bill/Expense" from the main screen, then either take a photo of a receipt or choose one from your photos. The app uses optical character recognition (OCR) to automatically extract:

• Merchant name
• Total amount
• Date of purchase
• Suggested category

It works with regular receipts, long receipts, and even screenshots. You can review and edit the extracted information before saving.

What is PayCheck Buddy?

PayCheck Buddy is your conversational budget assistant. Ask questions in plain English like:

• "How much did I spend on dining last month?"
• "What's my biggest spending category?"
• "Help me plan for buying a house"
• "Can I afford a $200 expense right now?"

Buddy provides instant answers, helps with major financial decisions using built-in calculators, and offers personalized insights based on your spending patterns. It runs on device, so your budget questions are not sent to our servers.

Can I export my budget data?

Yes! Use the Search & Reports feature to filter your transactions, then tap the share icon to export as a PDF or CSV. You can also print directly from the app if you have AirPrint enabled.

Do I need an internet connection?

PayCheck Budget works completely offline for day-to-day budgeting. You only need internet for:

• Initial iCloud sync setup
• Syncing changes with a partner
• Purchasing or restoring an App Store subscription

All your budget data is stored locally, and PayCheck Buddy runs on device, so you can add expenses, pay bills, ask budget questions, and view your plan without internet.

How do savings goals work?

Create a savings goal with a target amount and due date. The app automatically calculates how much you need to save from each paycheck to reach your goal on time. You can:

• Track progress with visual indicators
• Mark paychecks as saved or skipped
• Auto-add to your budget (reduces available spending)
• Convert goals to recurring bills when needed

Perfect for property taxes, vacations, emergency funds, or any large expense you're planning for.

What devices are supported?

PayCheck Budget requires iOS 17.0 or later and works on:

• iPhone (optimized for all screen sizes)
• iPad (full iPad support with adaptive layouts)
• Apple Watch (companion app for quick checks)

The app syncs across all your Apple devices using iCloud.

Can I get a refund?

Refund requests and eligibility are handled by Apple. To request a refund:

• Visit reportaproblem.apple.com
• Sign in with your Apple ID
• Find PayCheck Budget and select "Request a refund"

If you're having issues with the app, please email us at support@paycheckbudget.com so we can help resolve the problem.

How do I restore my purchase on a new device?

Your subscription is tied to your Apple ID, so it automatically transfers to new devices. Simply:

• Sign in with the same Apple ID on your new device
• Download PayCheck Budget from the App Store
• Open the app—it will automatically recognize your active subscription

If it doesn't restore automatically, go to Settings → Subscriptions in the app and tap "Restore Purchase."

What's included in the Financial Literacy Hub?

The hub includes interactive guides and calculators for major life decisions:

• Buying a Home (down payment, mortgage calculations)
• Buying a Car (financing, leasing, total costs)
• Planning a Wedding (budget breakdowns)
• Paying for College (FAFSA, scholarships, savings)
• Retirement Planning
• Emergency Fund Calculator
• Debt Payoff Planner
• Credit Score Education
• Understanding Your Paycheck
• And more!

All calculators are personalized to show results based on your actual paycheck amounts and budget.