Inspiration
After beating ourselves for the countless impulse purchases we made and not meeting our savings goals, we were inspired to create Moneta, a browser extension that helps users manage microtransactions and track spending habits in real-time while browsing online. We wanted to build a tool that seamlessly integrates into everyday online shopping and helps them stay aware of their financial decisions.
What it does
Moneta is a browser extension that helps users manage microtransactions and track spending habits in real-time while browsing online. The users start by setting a savings goal, and from there, Moneta gives them friendly pop-up reminders when it spots an impulse purchase that might throw them off track. It also gives users a summary of their past purchases and spending patterns to guide them into making smarter choices in the future.
How we built it
We developed Moneta as a cross-platform browser extension using a mix of front-end and back-end technologies. Our team worked simultaneously on design and logic, using both VS Code and JetBrains IDEs across macOS, Linux, and Windows machines. We managed collaboration through Git and ensured that our development environments were aligned, despite the varied platforms.
Challenges we ran into
One of the biggest challenges we faced was just how big this project was compared to what we were used to. Most of us had only worked on smaller-scale assignments before, so juggling both front-end design and back-end development under a tight deadline was definitely a stretch. In addition, we ran into many errors setting up our development environments across different operating systems and IDEs, and it took a while to set up our tools and start our project. None of us had ever built a browser extension before, so figuring out how the architecture and permissions work was a brand new experience. Brainstorming for an idea that was both innovative and realistic within our skill sets and deadline took some time, but once we landed on Moneta, we focused on breaking the project into bite-sized tasks and dividing them across the team. We also had to quickly learn new frameworks, figure out how to manage dependencies, and coordinate using Git without stepping on each other’s toes. It was a lot—but it taught us a ton about project management, collaboration, and adapting quickly under pressure
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud of how quickly we adapted to a larger-scale project and learned new frameworks and technologies on the fly. We successfully divided the workload into manageable tasks, allowing us to work in parallel and stay on track. We also overcame the challenge of integrating multiple systems and workflows—something that was totally new to us.
What we learned
This project taught us a lot about project management, cross-platform development, and version control in a team setting. We gained experience with Git collaboration, dealing with package dependencies, and syncing work across different development environments. Most importantly, we learned how to scope an idea that balances innovation with feasibility under tight deadlines.
What's next for Moneta
We’d love to refine Moneta by adding machine learning-based spending insights and expanding support for more e-commerce platforms. We’re also looking into improving UI/UX for better user engagement and possibly releasing an early version for feedback. With a solid foundation in place, we’re excited to keep building and improving Moneta.
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