Inspiration
SquareUp was inspired by the struggles of splitting bills with friends. Whether it’s dinners, trips, or rent, it’s always awkward keeping track of who owes who. We wanted to create something that makes that process easier and less stressful.
What it does
Our app lets you log expenses, view debts, and even simplify everything into the smallest number of transactions so settling up is quick. You can sign in with Google to personalize your account, and the clean light/dark mode interface makes it pleasant to use.
How we built it
We built SquareUp with Next.js and React on the frontend, using Chakra UI for the design and Framer Motion for animations. Firebase powers authentication so people can log in securely with Google. We chose a Purdue-inspired gold and black theme to give it a unique look.
Challenges we ran into
Along the way, we ran into challenges with Firebase authentication on localhost, and it took time to get the debt simplification algorithm working correctly. Keeping the UI consistent across light and dark modes was also tricky.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We’re proud that we ended up with a clean and functional app that actually helps solve a real problem.
What we learned
We learned a lot about Firebase integration, React state management, and the importance of a good user experience.
What's next for SquareUp
Next, we want to connect the app to Firestore so debts persist across devices, add real-time group support, and maybe even integrate payments through services like Venmo or PayPal.
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