> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zedfleet.com/expense/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Track purchases against a budget

> Compare the plan with real expenses and quantities purchased.

## Link a purchase

In **Record expense**, set a date within the budget range and the same currency. Select the budget using **Add to budget**.

For each purchased item, enter **This expense amount** and optionally **Qty bought**. The assigned item amounts cannot exceed the purchase amount. Any remaining purchase amount is not allocated to an item.

![Expense linked to November essentials with item amounts and quantities](https://mintcdn.com/zedfleet/e3oPfA78z35Neuii/images/expense-budget.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=e3oPfA78z35Neuii\&q=85\&s=6b9034713e9a0950052511ce28eda546)

Expense linked to November essentials with item amounts and quantities

Choose the payment account and funding bucket separately. A budget link does not provide funds.

## Check progress

Save the expense, open **Budget** again, and expand the plan. Compare the guide amount, planned total, actual total, and item quantities. A blank purchased quantity means it was not recorded, not necessarily zero purchased.

![Budget after a purchase, showing planned versus purchased quantities and actual amount](https://mintcdn.com/zedfleet/e3oPfA78z35Neuii/images/budget-actuals.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=e3oPfA78z35Neuii\&q=85\&s=a0c2b073227ed8f54c22197f76697f45)

Budget after a purchase, showing planned versus purchased quantities and actual amount

Fees affect account and bucket balances but are excluded from budget purchase totals. To correct a saved purchase, [edit the expense](https://docs.zedfleet.com/expense/activity/transactions.md), then review the budget again.


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