Frequently Asked Questions

General

Does InfinitelyZero connect to banks?

No. Transactions are entered manually or imported using supported files.

Does InfinitelyZero automatically move money for me?

No. Forecasts and Funding Suggestions are recommendations. Assignments and money moves require your explicit action.

What happens if I overspend a category?

You can only spend what's in the envelope. If an import or a past purchase goes over, IZ flags it so you can cover it. Use Cover or Assign money and review the affected account’s funding; money backed by another account needs the corresponding real transfer.

Does InfinitelyZero provide financial advice?

No. It is a budgeting and planning tool, not financial, investment, tax, legal, accounting, or credit advice. You remain responsible for reviewing information and making financial decisions.

Local, Cloud, and backups

Can I use InfinitelyZero without Cloud storage?

Yes, when your entitlement permits Local access. Local stores budget data in on-device application storage.

Can Local devices sync automatically?

No. Each browser profile or desktop installation has independent Local storage.

Can I use the same budget on multiple devices?

Cloud mode makes a budget available across supported devices after sign-in. Local data must be moved deliberately with copy or backup/restore tools.

What is the difference between Local and Cloud?

Local is tied to one device environment. Cloud stores the budget in InfinitelyZero’s Cloud service for multi-device access. See Local and Cloud.

Can I move a budget between them?

Yes. Copy to Cloud and Copy to Local create independent copies. Switching modes alone does not copy data.

Is Local budget data encrypted?

Yes. Each Local budget's financial state is encrypted at rest. Windows uses Credential Manager/DPAPI for routine native access. Browser/PWA sessions may require recovery material again after refresh or session loss.

Will a native app ask for my recovery key every time?

No. Ordinary Windows launches use the protected platform key. Recovery material is for setup, a lost or invalid platform key, a new device/reinstall/restore, or an explicit recovery action.

Is a recovery kit a budget backup?

No. A recovery kit unlocks encrypted Local data that still exists. A .izbackup is a separate encrypted copy that can restore deleted or lost Local data.

Are backup and recovery passwords the same?

No. An encrypted backup uses its own backup password. It is separate from the Local recovery key and optional recovery passphrase.

Are desktop backups encrypted?

Yes. InfinitelyZero backup files are encrypted and require their backup password for restore.

Can I save backups in OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox?

Yes, by choosing a folder managed by that service. InfinitelyZero writes a backup file there; the service synchronizes the file.

Does that create live Local sync?

No. Synchronizing a backup file is not live synchronization of the Local budget.

IZ Assist and receipt scanning

What is IZ Assist?

IZ Assist is a shortcuts panel with Home, Fund, + Txn, Bills, and Attention tabs. Shared forms keep account-backing and financial validation intact. You review every change before it is saved. See IZ Assist actions and where they open.

What data is sent for a receipt scan?

Receipt scanning sends the receipt image and limited task-specific context to a third-party provider. It does not send your whole budget.

Can IZ Assist change my budget automatically?

No. IZ Assist opens established workflows where you review and confirm changes.

How many receipt scans are included?

Lifetime and Connected include 5 receipt scans per month. The Receipt Scanning add-on raises the allowance to 25 per month.

Does Receipt Scanning require Connected?

No. It works with Lifetime or Connected and does not provide app access by itself.

Can I use InfinitelyZero without receipt scanning?

Yes. Core budgeting, deterministic calculations, planning, personal Price Book, shopping lists, Reports, and IZ Assist do not require receipt scanning.

Price Book

What is My Price Book?

It is private personal history for products, prices, stores, UPC/barcodes, and trends. See Price Book.

Is my personal Price Book automatically shared?

No. Receipt and personal price history are not automatically published.

Are Shopping List totals live retailer totals?

No. They are estimated known-price subtotals based on available personal, store, or historical prices. Unknown prices stay unknown.

Forecasts and planning

What happens when payroll arrives early?

An eligible payroll transaction can match from five days before through two days after payday. Its actual amount replaces that occurrence’s estimate.

Does a different received amount change future estimates?

No. Only the matched occurrence changes; later paychecks retain their configured estimates or overrides.

What is Money Timeline?

A read-only estimate of eligible cash from today through the next paycheck, including known activity and optional everyday-spending estimates.

What are Funding Suggestions?

Recommendations that highlight categories needing attention and projected paycheck coverage. They do not move money automatically.

How accurate are forecasts and affordability scenarios?

They are estimates based on the data, history, schedules, and timing assumptions available. Actual timing and results may differ, historical patterns do not guarantee future spending, and unknown or inaccurate data can create an unexpected shortfall. Review important decisions against current account and bill information.

Windows desktop

Is the desktop app different from the web app?

It provides the same core budgeting features in a native Windows application, with Windows file dialogs and desktop backup features. See Windows Desktop.

How are desktop updates handled?

Direct-download installations may use InfinitelyZero’s signed in-app updater. Microsoft Store installations are updated by Microsoft Store and do not use the direct updater.