How do I set up a family group in TimelyBills?

Setting up a group in TimelyBills is straightforward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you: 

Starting a New Group (As the Organizer)

• Tap the menu icon in the top left corner of your home screen.

• Select Family Group from the menu options.

• You will see a group screen with the choice to start or join a group.

• To start a new group, tap Share Code to generate a unique invitation code.

• Share this code with anyone, whom you want to join your TimelyBills group, using any of the sharing modes available on your phone. Please check the screenshot below.

• Once others join using the shared invitation code (Follow the steps given below to join the group ), the group will become active.

Follow the steps below to see how to join a group using an invitation code:

Joining a Group Using an Invitation Code:

• Input the invitation code you received in the Join the Group section.

• Tap Join Group and the process of joining the group will start.

For new users (who are joining as new users of the app):

• As soon as your invitation is validated successfully, you will see the group details page.                                                                                                       
• Validate the group information, such as the group name and who is already part of the group.
   
                                                                                
• If everything looks good, click the Next button to move ahead.

• You will now see the review screen with some points to note. Please read them carefully and click the ‘Join’ button.

• A success dialog will appear. Click Login and then sign in again to become an active part of the group. 

• Once you sign in, again, you will see all the group data shared by other members, such as recurring bills, income, expenses, group budget, etc.

For existing users (who already have their transactions and data on the TimelyBills app and now want to become part of a group):

• As soon as your invitation is validated successfully, you will see the group details page.
• Validate the group information, such as the group name and who is already part of the group.

• If everything looks good, click the Next button to move ahead.

• The Share Bills screen will appear (if you already have any recurring and transaction data).

• Unselect the bill entries that you don’t want to share with your group. By default, all bills will be shared.
• Click the Next button to continue.

• The Share Accounts screen will appear (if you already have any accounts created) with their transaction count.

• Unselect the accounts you don’t want to share with your group (optional). By default, accounts will be shared with their associated transactions.

• Click the Next button to continue.

• The Share Transactions screen will appear (if you already have transactions that do not have any account associated).

• Unselect transactions if you don’t want to share them with the group.
• Click the Next button to continue.

• You will now see the review screen with some points to note. Please read them carefully and click the Join button.
• A success dialog will appear. Click Login and then sign in again to become an active part of the group. 
• Once you sign in again, you will see all the group data shared by other members, such as recurring bills, income, expenses, group budget, etc.
   

Some Benefits of Using TimelyBills in a Group:

Group Dashboard

• Imagine a group dashboard as the central control panel for your family's finances. It's like a digital kitchen table where everything comes together. Here's how it works:
• All your financial info in one place: Bank accounts, credit cards, bills, investments – everything is pulled together and displayed clearly.
• See the big picture: The dashboard gives you a quick overview of your income, expenses, and savings. Easily see where your money is coming from and going.
• Stay informed: This dashboard can even generate alerts for upcoming bills or track spending trends, helping you stay on top of your finances and avoid surprises.

Group Budget

• Budgeting made simple! With TimelyBills, no more spreadsheets. Engage the whole family in setting spending goals, and allocating funds for bills, groceries, and more. Track your progress collectively, effortlessly add expenses tagged as family costs, and maintain transparency on contributions. Manage money as a team!

Key Features:

Your Family Finance Hub Briefly:

• Family Budget Card: This handy card on your dashboard gives you a quick snapshot of your family's overall budget.
• Progress Bar: The budget card's progress bar instantly shows how much you've spent versus the remaining family funds.
• Top Contributors: The card highlights the two biggest contributors to the family budget, fostering a sense of shared responsibility.
• Detailed Budget Breakdown: Dive deeper into your budget on the dedicated budget screen. See how each category (groceries, bills, entertainment, etc.) is doing with its progress bar.
• Individual Contributions by Category: Get even more granular by viewing who contributed what within each budget category. This promotes transparency and helps everyone understand how their spending habits impact the family budget.

Family Cashflow

• Transparency with a Clear View: TimelyBills acts like a transparent window into your cash flow. Everyone can see the cash flow (income and expenses) clearly, fostering trust and open communication.
• Spot Trends and Gaps: TimelyBills doesn't just show a snapshot; it tracks trends over time. This helps you identify areas of high spending and adjust your course accordingly. Maybe subscriptions are quietly draining your resources like a hidden leak – TimelyBills can help you spot them.
• Charting the Future Course: With TimelyBills, you can predict future cash flow based on your income and upcoming bills. This helps you plan for smooth sailing, even in periods of lower income. Considering financial security is your goal – TimelyBills helps you chart the course to get there, taking into account both individual and family cash flow needs.

Family Expenses

• Imagine your family finances are like a big puzzle with many pieces. Tracking expenses individually is like working on separate corners of the puzzle. You might not see the whole picture and could miss important connections. Here's why tracking family finances together with TimelyBills is important:
• Complete Picture: TimelyBills acts as a central hub, gathering everyone's expenses in one place. This gives you a complete view of the family's financial puzzle, showing where all the money goes.
• Open Communication: Tracking together fosters open communication. TimelyBills becomes a natural conversation starter, allowing everyone to discuss spending habits and work towards shared financial goals. It's like putting the puzzle pieces together collaboratively, creating a sense of teamwork.
• Shared Responsibility: Individual tracking can lead to a sense of detachment. With TimelyBills, everyone feels involved and responsible for the family's financial well-being. It's like everyone contributing to completing the puzzle, fostering a sense of shared ownership.

Family Accounts

• Keeping track of family finances individually is like juggling blindfolded. You might keep track of your accounts, but you miss the bigger picture. Here's how tracking everything together with TimelyBills is like having a steady hand:
• Full Visibility: TimelyBills acts as a central hub, connecting all your family's accounts. This gives you a complete view of your finances, including joint accounts, individual accounts, and shared expenses. It's like finally being able to see all the balls you're juggling at once.
• Stay Up to Date: No more scrambling for forgotten receipts or bank statements. TimelyBills automatically tracks transactions across all accounts, keeping everyone informed and on the same page. It's like having someone constantly reminding you which ball is next in the juggling pattern.
• Collaboration is Key: TimelyBills fosters teamwork. By seeing all transactions together, you can discuss spending habits openly and adjust as a family. It's like everyone working together to keep the juggling act smooth and efficient.