People often ignore personal budgeting apps because they require active input. But what if your app could quietly scan your SMS inbox and auto-generate a financial dashboard based on expense notifications, bank messages, and payment alerts?
This project targets a real-world problem: users receive dozens of finance-related messages, yet hardly act on them. Using Android’s SMS Read API, the app parses and classifies texts into categories like food, travel, bills, and subscriptions. It then shows a live, visually appealing budget breakdown.
It’s not about exact numbers — it’s about helping users notice invisible spending patterns. You can include pie charts, calendar views, spending streaks, and optional export to Google Sheets.
Security and privacy are key: the app must never send data to a server, working offline and with full user control. This makes it both ethical and user-centric.
- SMS Reading Reference: Android SMS API
- Android Pie Charts: MPAndroidChart Library
Summary
- Title: The Lazy Budgeter – An App That Builds a Budget From Your SMS Inbox
- Technology Stack: Android (Java/Kotlin), MPAndroidChart
- Preferred Team Size: 1–2 students
- Categories: Android Apps, Personal Finance Tools
- Tags: Budget, SMS Parsing, Android Development, Privacy, Visualization