Building a Finance Tracker with Python and Pandas (Tutorial)

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Introduction

If you're learning Python or exploring data analysis, building projects is one of the best ways that can solidify your understanding of the core concepts of Python and the libraries used in data analysis. This is the best way to prepare for real-world applications. In this article, I want to share with you a tutorial on building a simple finance tracker, a project with Python and the pandas library. Here's why this project is a must-try:

• Learn Python Classes: This project uses object-oriented programming (OOP) to structure code. By doing the project, you'll learn to define classes, create methods, and work with attributes.
• Work with Pandas for Data Manipulation: If you use Python for data analysis, you know that you must learn some pandas. This project uses pandas to handle tasks like adding transactions, filtering data by category, and calculating sums. This project will give hands-on experience on how to navigate and interact with a DataFrame. For instance, you will learn how to use the concat() function. This hands-on experience is essential for mastering data analysis.
• Simulate Real-World Financial Scenarios: One of the great things about the project is that it mimics real-world budgeting tasks such as tracking expenses, categorizing spending, and monitoring budget balances. If you ask me, that is a great way to practice applying logic to solve practical problems.
• Build Something Functional: At the end of the day, you want to have something that you can show to someone as evidence of your progress in learning Python. This project takes you beyond theory. It leaves you with a functional tool that you can refine or expand, such as adding database storage, creating visualizations, etc., and show off to someone.

Below is the link to the tutorial. Try as much as possible to understand what the code is doing. At the end, try to build your own tracker. Let me know what you think—and don’t forget to subscribe to the channel and hit the like button if you find this helpful.

Building finance tracker with Python (watch here)

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