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Insights

Thoughts on personal finance, privacy, and building software that respects its users.

September 14, 2026

Revolut Gave Customer Passports to a Fake Government Request. What It Teaches About Your Data

Revolut released customer ID documents and account data to someone using a real government email domain. How the trick works, what affected customers should do, and why the number of copies of your financial data matters.

Self-Hosted Personal Finance Without Running a Server: A Practical Guide

A practical guide to self-hosted personal finance for r/selfhosted readers. Compares server-tier tools (Actual Budget, Firefly III) with local-only options (GnuCash, SelfCapsule).

The Hidden Privacy Cost of AI Features in Your Budgeting App

Budgeting apps now answer questions about your money with AI. Here is what happens to your transaction history when you ask one, and how a local-first app answers on your device.

What a Bank-Linked Budgeting App Actually Sees About You

When you connect your bank to a budgeting app, the data pulled in is much broader than the transactions on your dashboard. Here is what the aggregator actually receives, who else gets it, and how long it lives there.

Best YNAB Alternatives That Don't Require a Bank Login (2026)

YNAB costs $109 a year and is built around linked bank accounts. These private budgeting apps let you manage money without handing over a bank login.

I Tracked My Spending for 90 Days Completely Offline. Here's What Changed

What happens when you ditch cloud finance apps and track every dollar on a desktop app with no internet? A 90-day experiment in private, intentional budgeting.

Personal Finance Without Subscriptions: Why One-Time Purchase Software Is Making a Comeback

Major budgeting subscriptions cost $99.99 to $109 a year. Over three years that is $300 or more. Here is why one-time purchase tools are returning.

How to Budget Without an Account

Most finance apps want your email, bank login, and personal data before you start. Here is how to set up a private budget in 15 minutes with no account required.

Why Local-First Software Is the Future of Personal Finance

Finance apps collect massive amounts of personal data, and breaches are rising fast. Learn what local-first software is, why it matters for your money, and how to take back control of your financial data.