Tags transform trip transactions

Why I changed my mind about adding tags to identify some recent trip-related transactions. And how it worked out better for me to add the tags all at once, after the trip was completed. Read more at https://hledgerfan.com/tags-transform-trip-transactions/.

I use tags to account for trip costs. I like being able to easily find out how each trip has cost. Since I travel multiple times a year, I do use tags to be able to tell them apart (trip:YYMMdestination, for example: 202506france).

I usually do not bother doing this while I am travelling. I usually am on vacation so I want this to be a quick and as easy to track. So what I do is I have a google form bookmarked on my phone. As I incur transactions I simply open my browser and quick enter what I need (date, where/what, amount, method of payment and perhaps a note). When I return from my trip, I go through the list and enter things in my hledger file as necessary. Sometime I do it as I go and sometimes I collect the receipts and try and review and enter everything in the form (1 entry per trasaction) every night when I am back at my hotel). At home I use only my card which makes it easy but while travelling I often end up having to use actual cash which means I need to trac very transaction if I want to see how things add up.

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