the group trip expense tracker that's already in everyone's pocket
trip expense apps die the same death every time: half the group never installs, the treasurer retypes receipts at midnight, and the spreadsheet is three days behind the chat. the trip already has a whatsapp group - teresa makes it the tracker.
before: open a tab, set a budget
mel: @teresa new tab lisbon
teresa: tab 'lisbon' open 💸 splitting - say "no split" if it's one pot
mel: budget 30,000
teresa: budget 30,000 for the tab; i'll say something at 80% and at 100%
during: just text it
whoever pays, types it - "airbnb 2,400", "tolls 350" - and gets a 💸. photos and pdfs of receipts attach with a 📎. uneven splits in words: "breakfast 400, just mel and me". teresa stays silent otherwise; the chat stays about the trip.
after: close the tab, settle, keep the page
milo: @teresa close the tab
teresa: tab 'lisbon' closed 💸
mel is owed 2,100
milo owes 1,100 · ale owes 1,000
to settle:
- @milo → mel 1,100
- @ale → mel 1,000
the fewest transfers, posted where everyone reads. the tab freezes so the numbers stay true, and the live web page keeps the whole list - receipts, totals, csv/xlsx/pdf - behind one private link.
the awkward part, handled
nobody has to chase anyone: the balance is a question away ("@teresa who owes who?") and the final numbers arrive from the bot, not from a friend. it's easier to pay a robot's arithmetic than a person's reminder.
full setup: the guide · switching mid-habit: vs splitwise · details: tabs, splitting and settling.
somebody has to keep the tab
she never forgets a cent, and she's already in your whatsapp - and your telegram.
first message says hi · the 💸 does the rest