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Expense logging with Telegram and Google Sheets

Workflow preview

Expense logging with Telegram and Google Sheets preview
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Important notice

This workflow is provided as-is. Please review and test before using in production.

Overview

Weekly Summaries and Budget Alerts

Who’s it for

This workflow is perfect for individuals who want a simple expense tracker without needing a full app. If you already use Telegram daily, this makes it effortless to log purchases, track spending, and stay accountable to your budget.

How it works / What it does

  • Send an expense in Telegram using the format /spent 5 lunch.
  • n8n parses the message and appends the entry to Google Sheets.
  • Every Sunday at 11:00, the workflow sends a weekly expense summary to Telegram.
  • If you exceed your weekly budget (default €100), you’ll instantly get a budget warning alert.
  • Optionally, the sheet can be cleared weekly to start fresh.

How to set up

  1. Create a Telegram bot with BotFather, copy the token, and get your Chat ID via getUpdates.
  2. Make a copy of the provided Google Sheets template and connect your Google credentials in n8n.
  3. Replace <YOUR_CHAT_ID> and <YOUR_SHEET_ID> placeholders in the workflow.
  4. Adjust the budget threshold in the “Check Weekly Budget” node if needed.
  5. Activate the workflow and test with a sample expense. Requirements

What to do

  • A Telegram bot (free, via BotFather).
  • Google Sheets with n8n OAuth2 credentials.
  • An n8n instance (self-hosted or cloud). How to customize the workflow
  • Change the budget threshold in the Code node.
  • Update the summary schedule in the Schedule Trigger node.
  • Expand the Google Sheet with more categories or details.
  • Personalize the Telegram messages to fit your style.