Hi devs! I’m Hermit-commits-code, and I’m starting a hands-on series where I build a personal finance tracker from scratch—using Django and some modern frontend tools.
Why? Just like many devs, I want to better manage my money, but I also want a tool that fits my workflow and gives me a reason to level up my backend skills. Plus, I love sharing what I learn in public!
What Will This Project Do?
I’m aiming for:
- Tracking income and expenses with details for each transaction
- Categories (like Food, Rent, Salary) for every transaction
- Summaries and analytics (totals, balances, breakdowns)
- Search and filter tools (by category, date, amount, etc.)
- A modern UI (planning to use HTMX for dynamic interactions after the backend is up)
Bonus goals:
- CSV import/export
- User authentication
- Budgets and alerts
- Analytics charts
Tech Stack
- Backend: Django (Python)
- Frontend: HTMX (for interactivity, later in the series)
- Database: SQLite (simple for dev; upgradeable)
- Platform: dev.to for blogging the journey
My Approach
- Share every step, including the “why” behind design choices
- Include code, commands, and explanations
- Be honest about mistakes, pivots, and discoveries
- Welcome feedback (and maybe even collaborators!)
What’s Next?
The next post will cover:
- Creating a Python virtual environment
- Installing Django
- Bootstrapping the project folder
I’ll include all commands and code so you can follow along—or use this as a reference for your own Django projects.
Ready to build together? Let’s go!
Stay tuned for Part 2: “Setting Up Django From Scratch for Your Financial Tracker”
Top comments (0)