We Built This Because We Needed It

Back in early 2023, our founder was managing a mid-sized construction project and watched three consecutive budget meetings spiral into chaos. Spreadsheets everywhere, version conflicts, and nobody could answer the simple question: where does our money actually go?

Started with Frustration, Not a Business Plan

We didn't start Howtomanual thinking we'd build a company. Honestly, we just wanted something that worked for our own projects. Something that didn't require a finance degree to understand.

After testing five different budget tools and hating all of them, we spent three months building a basic tracker. Just for us. But when we showed it to a colleague running a marketing agency, she asked if she could use it too.

That's when we realized this frustration wasn't unique to us. By mid-2024, we had twenty companies testing our rough prototype. Their feedback shaped what Howtomanual became.

Early workspace where Howtomanual was developed

What Actually Matters to Us

These aren't corporate values we put on a wall. They're the principles that guide every decision we make, especially when nobody's watching.

Real Transparency

We show you exactly where your money goes. No hidden categories, no vague summaries. If you're paying for something, you deserve to see it clearly.

Build for Actual Users

Every feature we add comes from someone saying "I wish I could..." We don't build what sounds impressive. We build what helps you work better.

Honest About Limitations

We're not the right fit for every business, and we'll tell you that upfront. Better to be honest than waste your time with something that doesn't match your needs.

Support That Actually Helps

When you email us, you talk to people who understand the product deeply. We don't outsource support because we believe in being there when things get complicated.

Keep It Simple

Budgeting is already stressful enough. We remove complexity wherever possible, because clarity matters more than fancy features nobody uses.

Iterate Constantly

We release updates every two weeks based on real feedback. Not because we're chasing trends, but because we're always finding better ways to solve problems.

Team collaboration on budget planning features

Product development and testing environment

How We Actually Work

We're a team of seventeen people spread across California and Oregon. Most of us came from project management backgrounds where we experienced budget nightmares firsthand. That shared frustration keeps us focused.

Our office in Burlingame serves as home base, but about half the team works remotely. We meet in person quarterly to hash out the bigger questions and reconnect as humans, not just Slack avatars.

We ship small updates frequently rather than massive changes nobody asked for
Every team member spends time talking directly to customers each month
We keep our tech stack boring and reliable because your budget data matters more than using the latest framework
Fridays are for fixing bugs and improving existing features, not building new ones
We eat our own cooking and use Howtomanual for our company finances

The best part of our work? Hearing from someone who finally feels like they understand their project finances. That moment when confusion turns into clarity makes all the late nights debugging worth it.

Modern workspace at Howtomanual headquarters

Come Talk to Us

We're not trying to be everything to everyone. Howtomanual works best for teams managing multiple projects who need clear visibility into where money goes.

If you're drowning in spreadsheets or your current tool feels like it's fighting you instead of helping, let's talk. We'll be honest about whether we're a good fit.

And if we're not? We'll tell you that too, and probably point you toward something that might work better for your situation.

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