Frequently Asked Questions

Creating your first savings goal is easy! Here's how:

• Open the app and tap the "Create Goal" button on your dashboard
• Choose what you're saving for (toy, game, trip, etc.)
• Set your target amount - start with something achievable like $20-50
• Pick a fun name and emoji for your goal
• Tap "Create" and start tracking your progress!

Tip: Start with smaller goals to build confidence and good saving habits.

Simpler Budget: Monarch is designed for children ages 5-16, with parental guidance:

• Ages 5-8: Parents help with app navigation and explain concepts
• Ages 9-12: Children can use independently with parental oversight
• Ages 13-16: More advanced features like budget planning and goal analysis

The visual design and simple interface make it accessible for young learners while growing with your child.

No! One of our best features is that you can start using the app immediately without creating any accounts:

• No usernames or passwords required
• No email verification needed
• No personal information collected
• All data is stored securely in your iCloud

Just download and start your child's financial learning journey right away!

The app is designed for one child profile per device to provide a focused, personalized learning experience. For multiple children:

• Each child should have their own device (iPhone/iPad)
• This ensures their financial data stays separate and private
• Creates individual learning journeys tailored to each child
• Prevents confusion and maintains focus on personal goals

Adding money is simple:

• Tap the "Deposit" button on your dashboard
• Enter the amount you want to add
• Add a note about where the money came from (allowance, chores, gift, etc.)
• Watch your progress bar grow!

Remember: The app only tracks the money - parents manage the actual cash separately.

No, the app does not handle actual money. Simpler Budget: Monarch is an educational tool that:

• Tracks and visualizes your savings progress
• Helps you understand money management concepts
• Shows how deposits and withdrawals affect your goals
• Creates a safe learning environment

Parents are responsible for managing the real money that corresponds to the amounts tracked in the app.

Yes! Learning when and how to use your savings is part of financial education:

• Tap "Withdraw" on your dashboard
• Enter the amount you need
• Add a note about what you're using the money for
• Always check with parents before making withdrawals

The app teaches that it's okay to use your savings for important things, and you can always save up again!

Chore rewards help children learn that money comes from work:

• Parents can assign chores and their reward amounts
• When chores are completed, parents add the reward money
• This teaches the connection between effort and earning
• Children see their hard work translate to savings progress

Note: This feature requires parental involvement to assign chores and confirm completion.

If your data isn't syncing, check these things:

• iCloud Sign-in: Make sure you're signed into the same iCloud account on both devices
• iCloud Settings: Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud and make sure the app has iCloud access
• Internet Connection: Ensure both devices have stable internet
• Storage Space: Check that you have enough iCloud storage available
• App Version: Make sure both devices have the latest app version

Try closing and reopening the app after checking these settings.

Since all data is stored in your personal iCloud account, try these recovery steps:

• Check if you're signed into the correct iCloud account
• Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → Manage Storage → Backups
• Look for recent backups that might contain your app data
• Try deleting and reinstalling the app (your iCloud data should restore)

Important: We cannot access your data since it's stored privately in your iCloud.

Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Force close and restart the app: Double-tap home button and swipe up on the app
2. Restart your device: Power off and on your iPhone/iPad
3. Check for updates: Update to the latest app version in the App Store
4. Free up storage: Make sure your device has available storage space
5. Check iOS version: Ensure your device runs a supported iOS version

If problems persist, contact us at simplerbudgetmonarch@gmail.com with your device model and iOS version.

Simpler Budget: Monarch is available for:

• iPhone: iPhone 8 and newer, running iOS 15.0 or later
• iPad: iPad (6th generation) and newer, running iPadOS 15.0 or later
• iPod touch: 7th generation and newer

The app is optimized for both phone and tablet experiences, with the same features on all devices.

Free features include:

• One active savings goal
• Basic progress tracking
• Simple deposit and withdrawal tracking

Premium features include:

• 🎯 Unlimited Goals: Create as many savings goals as you want
• 📅 Weekly Savings: Set up automatic weekly savings reminders
• ⭐ Ad-Free Experience: Focus on saving without distractions
• 📊 Advanced Analytics: Detailed progress charts and insights
• 🎉 Enhanced Celebrations: More achievement cards and sharing options

We offer flexible pricing options:

• Monthly: $4.99/month
• Yearly: $29.99/year (Save 50%! - equivalent to $2.50/month)

All subscriptions include:

• All premium features
• Free app updates
• Email customer support
• No additional in-app purchases

To cancel your subscription:

1. Open Settings on your iOS device
2. Tap your name at the top
3. Tap "Subscriptions"
4. Find "Simpler Budget: Monarch" and tap it
5. Tap "Cancel Subscription"

Important: You must cancel at least 24 hours before your renewal date to avoid being charged for the next period.

Your child's financial learning data is safe:

• Data preserved: All savings goals and progress remain in your iCloud
• Continued access: You can use the app until the end of your current billing period
• Feature limitations: Some premium features may become unavailable
• Easy return: Resubscribe anytime to regain full access

We never delete your child's progress or learning data.

Absolutely! We've designed the app with child safety as our top priority:

• No social features: No chat, messaging, or contact with strangers
• No personal data collection: We don't collect names, photos, or personal information
• No external links: Children can't accidentally leave the app to unsafe websites
• Educational focus: Purely focused on financial learning, nothing else
• Parental oversight: Designed for parent-child collaboration

We don't collect any personal data! Here's what we DO NOT collect:

• Names, email addresses, or contact information
• Your child's personal information or photos
• Usage analytics or behavioral tracking
• Location data or device information
• Social media or external account data

All your child's savings goals and progress are stored securely in your personal iCloud account, which we cannot access.

Your child's data is protected through:

• iCloud Storage: All data is stored in your personal iCloud account
• Apple's Security: Benefits from Apple's enterprise-grade security infrastructure
• Local Device Encryption: Data on your device is protected by iOS encryption
• No External Servers: We don't operate servers that store your information
• Your Control: You can delete all data through your device settings

No, everything is completely private by default. Your child's savings goals and progress are:

• Stored only in your personal iCloud account
• Not visible to us or any third parties
• Only shareable if you/your child actively choose to share achievement cards
• Protected by your device's security (Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode)

When goals are reached, your child can share celebration cards, but this is completely optional and controlled by you.

The app teaches financial concepts through hands-on experience:

• Goal Setting: Children learn to plan for things they want
• Delayed Gratification: Understanding that good things take time and patience
• Income Tracking: Connecting work (chores) to earnings
• Progress Visualization: Seeing how small amounts add up over time
• Decision Making: Learning when to save vs. when to spend
• Achievement Recognition: Celebrating financial milestones

Parents play a crucial role in financial education:

• Regular Check-ins: Review progress and discuss goals together
• Real-world Connections: Relate app activities to actual money decisions
• Encourage Questions: Create a safe space to discuss money concepts
• Celebrate Milestones: Acknowledge when goals are reached
• Model Good Habits: Demonstrate your own financial planning
• Manage Real Money: Handle the actual funds that correspond to app entries

Setting achievable goals is key to building confidence:

• Start Small: Begin with $10-25 goals to build success habits
• Consider Income: Match goals to your child's allowance/earning ability
• Time Awareness: Discuss how long it might take to reach the goal
• Personal Interest: Choose things your child genuinely wants
• Progressive Difficulty: Gradually increase goal amounts as confidence grows
• Multiple Goals: With premium, allow both short-term and long-term goals

The app is a powerful supplement to, not a replacement for, comprehensive financial education:

• Practical Application: Provides hands-on experience with money concepts
• Visual Learning: Makes abstract concepts concrete and understandable
• Daily Practice: Reinforces lessons through regular interaction
• Family Conversations: Creates opportunities for money discussions

Best used alongside: Books, discussions, real-world shopping experiences, and age-appropriate financial education resources.