Master Your Finances: Set Up a Self-Hosted Firefly III Server

Take control of your finances with Firefly III, a powerful self-hosted personal accounting tool that prioritizes privacy and customization. Unlike third-party applications, Firefly III allows you to manage your budget, savings, and expenses securely from your own server. Here’s how to set it up and make the most of its features.

Why Choose Firefly III?

Firefly III is ideal for individuals seeking to self-host their financial management tools, providing:

• Enhanced Privacy: Your data stays under your control.
• Customizability: Tailor the platform to your unique financial needs.
• Powerful Features: Budget tracking, savings goals, bill reminders, and automation.

Setting Up Firefly III

Deploying Firefly III is straightforward using Docker containers. Follow these steps:

1. Install Docker Engine: Ensure your system, preferably Linux, has Docker installed.
2. Create Required Files:
   • Use sudo nano docker-compose.yml to create a Docker Compose file and paste the necessary code.
   • Set up .env and .db.env files to configure database credentials.
3. Deploy the Container:
   Run the command sudo docker compose up -d to launch the Firefly III container.

For Windows users, the same steps apply. Alternatively, use virtual machines with VirtualBox or VMware for deployment. Raspberry Pi users running YunoHost or UmbrelOS can install Firefly III from their app stores for an even simpler setup.

Using Firefly III

Once the container is live, access the Firefly III web interface:

• Enter your server’s IP address in the browser.
• Register with your email and password.
• Set up your account, budgets, bills, and savings goals.

Key Features

• Budget Management: Easily create budgets with customizable periods and amounts.
• Bill Tracking: Automate reminders for recurring payments.
• Savings Goals: Use the “Piggy banks” feature to monitor savings targets.
• Automation: Leverage trigger-action scripts to streamline financial transactions.
• Detailed Reports: Import bank transactions to analyze expenses and savings.

Why Self-Host?

With Firefly III, you gain:

• Security: No third-party access to sensitive data.
• Control: Adapt the tool to your preferences.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Save on subscription fees for financial software.