SMS Expense Logging
Text your expenses, skip the app
Log shared expenses the moment they happen — right from your phone's native text messaging. No app to open, no forms to fill out. Just text what you paid in plain English, and Are We Even handles the parsing, categorization, and group assignment automatically.
How SMS expense logging works
Our SMS system uses AI-powered natural language processing to understand your expenses in plain English. Here's the complete flow:
User sends a text message
The user texts their expense to our dedicated Twilio-powered phone number. Messages can be in natural language like "Paid $45 for dinner with Mike and Sarah" or shorthand like "Gas $32".
Phone number verification
We verify the sender's phone number against our database of registered users. Only verified phone numbers linked to active Are We Even accounts can log expenses. Unrecognized numbers receive a friendly message explaining how to sign up.
AI parses the expense
Our AI extracts the key information: amount, description, category, date, and any mentioned participants. It understands context like "split with" or "for the group" to determine how the expense should be divided.
Expense is logged to the group
The parsed expense is added to the user's active expense group. If they're in multiple groups, our AI infers the correct group from context (mentioned names, recent activity) or asks for clarification.
Confirmation sent back
The user receives a confirmation text showing exactly how the expense was logged: "Logged: Dinner $45.00 split with Mike, Sarah. Your share: $15.00. Reply UNDO to remove."
Example SMS conversations
Our AI understands natural language — no special formatting required. Here's what real SMS expense logging looks like:
Casual, voice-style input
Works great with voice-to-text
Custom split with a friend
Multiple expenses at once
• Gas $65.00 → $32.50 each
• Snacks $12.00 → $6.00 each
• Tolls $8.00 → $4.00 each
Reply UNDO to remove all.
Natural date expressions
Recording payments
Marking even
Quick shortcuts
For repeat expenses
What our AI understands
Our natural language processing handles the messy reality of how people actually text:
Amounts
"$45", "45 bucks", "forty five", "45.50", "like 50"
Dates
"yesterday", "last friday", "jan 17", "2 days ago", "the 15th"
People
"with Crystal", "split with Mike and Sarah", "for Jake"
Split ratios
"60/40", "split 50 25 25", "I had $50, she had $30"
Batch entries
"gas $65, snacks $12, tolls $8" logs 3 separate expenses
Settlements
"paid me back $50", "we're even", "settle with Mike"
Shortcuts
"same" (repeat last), "x2" (double it), "half" (split in two)
Voice quirks
Ignores filler words like "like", "about", "around", "was"
Technical implementation
Our SMS infrastructure is built for reliability and security:
When SMS logging shines
On the go
Just paid for parking? Text it while walking to the restaurant. No need to stop and open an app.
Low connectivity
SMS works even with spotty data. Perfect for road trips, camping, or international travel with limited internet.
Rapid logging
During a busy trip with multiple expenses? Fire off texts as you pay — faster than any app interface.
Battery saver
Text messages use minimal battery compared to loading a web app. Log expenses without draining your phone.
Why we built SMS expense logging
The biggest barrier to expense tracking isn't willingness — it's friction. Every extra tap, every form field, every app load is an opportunity for someone to think "I'll log it later" and then forget.
SMS removes that friction entirely. Your phone's messaging app is already open most of the day. Texting is muscle memory. By meeting users where they already are, we get expenses logged immediately — while the details are fresh.
Security and compliance
We take SMS messaging seriously and follow industry best practices:
- Opt-in only: Users must explicitly enable SMS features and verify their phone number before they can send expenses via text.
- Easy opt-out: Users can text STOP at any time to disable SMS features. We honor all opt-out requests immediately.
- No marketing messages: We only send transactional messages (expense confirmations, balance updates when requested). No promotional content via SMS.
- TCPA compliant: Our messaging practices comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and carrier guidelines.
- Message limits: We send a maximum of 3-5 messages per user-initiated expense (confirmation + any follow-up), keeping message volume low and relevant.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does SMS expense logging work?
- Users text their expenses to our dedicated phone number in natural language (e.g., "Lunch with Sarah $24.50"). Our AI parses the message, extracts the amount, description, and participants, then logs it to their expense group. Users receive a confirmation text with the logged expense details.
- Do I need to download an app to use SMS logging?
- No app download is required for SMS logging. You can text expenses directly from your phone's native messaging app. However, to view balances, manage groups, and settle up, you'll use our web app.
- What phone numbers can use SMS expense logging?
- Only phone numbers that have been verified and linked to an Are We Even account can log expenses via SMS. This prevents unauthorized use and ensures expenses are logged to the correct user and group.
- Is SMS expense logging available internationally?
- SMS expense logging is currently available for US and Canadian phone numbers. We use Twilio's messaging infrastructure to ensure reliable delivery. International expansion is planned based on user demand.
- What happens if the AI misunderstands my expense?
- After parsing your text, we send a confirmation message showing how we interpreted your expense. If something is wrong, you can reply to correct it or edit the expense in the web app. Our AI learns from corrections to improve accuracy.
- Are my SMS messages stored or shared?
- SMS messages are processed to extract expense data and then the raw message is deleted. We only store the structured expense information (amount, description, date, participants). We never share your data with third parties or use it for marketing.
Ready to try SMS expense logging?
Start your free trial and get instant access to SMS expense logging. No credit card required.