Inspiration - We were inspired by the need for a user-friendly, real-time financial management tool that not only tracks expenses but also provides a deeper insight into one's financial health through credit scores and budgeting goals.
What it does - Broke AF // Budget Tracker helps users manage their finances by allowing them to track expenses, set financial goals, and view their balance in real-time through integration with bank accounts using the Plaid API.
How we built it - We built the app using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the frontend, with Node.js and MongoDB Atlas handling the backend. The Plaid API was integrated to fetch real-time financial data from user bank accounts.
Challenges we ran into - One of the main challenges was integrating the Plaid API effectively to fetch banking data securely and accurately. Additionally, ensuring the application was intuitive and user-friendly while dealing with real-time data presented significant hurdles.
Accomplishments that we're proud of - We are proud of successfully integrating complex APIs into our application and creating a seamless user experience that effectively helps users manage their finances. Additionally, we implemented features like real-time balance updates and financial goal tracking.
What we learned - We learned a great deal about financial APIs, handling sensitive user data, and the intricacies of designing an effective user interface for financial applications. Additionally, we gained experience in collaborative software development and version control.
What's next for Broke AF // Budget Tracker - Future plans include expanding the app to support multiple currencies, incorporating AI-driven insights for spending habits, and developing personalized spending affirmation notifications based on user behavior and balance thresholds.
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