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3.9 Virtual transactions

A virtual transaction is when you, in your mind, see money as moving to a certain place, when in reality that money has not moved at all. There are several scenarios in which this type of tracking comes in handy, and each of them will be discussed in detail.

To enter a virtual transaction, surround the account name in parentheses. This form of usage does not need to balance. However, if you want to ensure the virtual transaction balances with other virtual transactions in the same entry, use square brackets. For example:

     10/2 Paycheck
         Assets:Checking                        $1000.00
         Income:Salary                         $-1000.00
         (Debt:Alimony)                          $200.00

In this example, after receiving a paycheck an alimony debt is increased—even though no money has moved around yet.

     10/2  Paycheck
         Assets:Checking                        $1000.00
         Income:Salary                         $-1000.00
         [Savings:Trip]                          $200.00
         [Assets:Checking]                      $-200.00

In this example, $200 has been deducted from checking toward savings for a trip. It will appear as though the money has been moved from the account into ‘Savings:Trip’, although no money has actually moved anywhere.

When balances are displayed, virtual transactions will be factored in. To view balances without any virtual balances factored in, using the -R flag, for “reality”.