[GNC] n and c?

[Adrien Monteleone]

I’m not sure there is a particular link for that specific thing. (other than the Help manual on the GnuCash website - or via your Help menu, which contain some screenshots for clarity.)

Here’s a simple version:

Click the create new account button on the toolbar.

Make it of type `asset`.

Give it any name you like. (CC Funds?, CC Payments?)

Maybe give it a more meaningful `Description` for reference should you end up tracking other things and want to remember what this is for. (“placeholder for my credit card payments from multiple sources”)

Enter your payments in the credit card account as follows:

If using the default informal labels and ‘Basic View’ - as a ’Transfer payment’ from this new asset account. In Basic View you don’t see the other split and you don’t need to in this case. You just see that you made a payment. (the balancing ‘charge’ is hidden from view)

If using the Transaction Journal view and formal labels - assign the first account split to the credit card account as a debit (left column), then assign the second split to your generic asset account as a credit (right column).

---

If you want to track expenses by ‘category’ then you’ll need to create expense accounts for each one as the Help/Guide describe. You’ll enter those transactions as ’transfer charges’ to the relevant expense accounts. (in Basic View) If a single transaction has more than one category, you’ll need to use the ’Split’ button if you are in Basic View to add more than one.

If you are using Transaction Journal view and formal labels, then enter the first split assigned to the credit card account for the full charge amount as a credit. (right side) Then enter each line-item expense (if more than one) assigned to each expense account as debits. (left side)

Of course, the view and the label choice are not tied together. You could use formal labels and Basic View or informal labels and Transaction Journal view. It’s a personal preference.

Regards,
Adrien


> On Apr 11, 2019, at 3:04 PM, ToddAndMargo via gnucash-user <gnucash-user at gnucash.org> wrote:
> 
> On 4/11/19 12:47 PM, Adrien Monteleone wrote:
>> Todd,
>> In one of my lengthy replies, I offered a suggestion to create a generic asset account and use that to make your payments from. This would allow you to still track expenses on the card, but not worry about payment details. (of course, as I also noted, the more info you record now, the easier it will be to adjust those entries in the future should you decide you later want to re-assign the payments to proper real accounts)
>> Your other issues from what I can tell were with respect to comprehending the labels for the columns. I offered one solution via formal labels and viewing all splits at all times. Another is to never view those splits and leave the informal labels in place. (the default)
>> A spreadsheet might be just as much or more work. (harder for reporting or else your manual entries can get tiresome and certainly hard to audit)
>> Regards,
>> Adrien
> 
> Hi Adrien,
> 
> Maybe there is a way to save me from a #2 pencil.
> 
> I hate to sound stupid, but can you send me a link as to
> how to do what you recommend (generic asset account)?
> 
> Many thanks,
> -T
>