PocketSmith
A bookkeeping and personal finance tool we use to track spending across currencies and understand how our money actually moves while travelling and running a small business.
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PocketSmith is how we keep track of our finances across multiple accounts and currencies. After moving away from traditional accounting software, we wanted something simpler - something that gave us visibility without unnecessary complexity. PocketSmith sits between basic budgeting tools and full accounting systems. It's not accounting software. It's a bookkeeping and financial visibility tool.
Why we use PocketSmith
- Track spending across multiple accounts and currencies
- Understand where our money is going in real time
- Maintain simple bookkeeping without heavy accounting software
- Plan ahead with cash flow forecasting
How this works in practice
We use Wise to manage our money and XE to check exchange rates. PocketSmith is what allows us to understand whether those decisions are actually working.
It gives us visibility across everything:
- multiple currencies
- multiple income sources
- multiple accounts
Without this, you're just moving money - you're not managing it.
Small business use
As a New Zealand-based small business, we use PocketSmith to maintain clean records and track income and expenses throughout the year. This makes it easier to prepare our 6-monthly GST returns and to understand our financial position at any time. It's not a replacement for formal accounting or compliance tools, but it gives us the clarity we need to stay organised and make informed decisions.
Key Features
- Bookkeeping across multiple accounts and currencies
- Real-time transaction tracking and categorisation
- Cash flow forecasting and budgeting tools
- Consolidated financial view across personal and business use
- Historical and forward-looking insights
Pros
- Clear visibility across multiple currencies and accounts
- Simpler than traditional accounting software
- Strong for both personal finance and small business bookkeeping
- Helps link financial decisions to real outcomes
Cons
- Not full accounting or tax software
- Requires manual setup and ongoing categorisation
- Not necessary for short-term travellers
- Works best when paired with other tools
