Frequently Asked Questions

How does the app work?

Affordly helps you save money on groceries with AI-powered insights. Here's how it works:

• Scan your receipt: Take a photo of your grocery receipt using your phone's camera
• AI analysis: Our AI powered by Google Gemini reads your receipt, extracts all items and prices, and categorizes your spending
• Savings tips: Get personalized, actionable money-saving suggestions based on what you bought
• Track spending: See your spending breakdown by category and review past scans in your history

How do I scan a receipt?

Scanning a receipt is easy:

• Open the Affordly app and tap the camera icon on the Upload tab
• You can either take a new photo or select an existing image from your gallery
• Make sure the receipt is well-lit and the text is clearly visible
• Hold your phone steady and capture the entire receipt
• The app will automatically process and extract the items within seconds

Tip: For best results, flatten the receipt and ensure good lighting without glare.

Why does the app need my email?

We collect your email address for several important purposes:

• Account verification: To confirm you're a real person and secure your account
• Password resets: So you can recover your account if you forget your password
• Support communications: To respond to your questions and help requests
• Account notifications: To inform you about important changes to your account

We never sell your email address or send spam. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Is Affordly free?

Yes! Affordly is 100% free. All features are included at no cost:

What kind of savings tips do I get?

After scanning a receipt, you'll get personalized AI-generated suggestions like:

• Store-brand alternatives: Switch to generic brands that are 20-30% cheaper
• Bulk buying tips: Recommendations for items you buy frequently
• Seasonal produce advice: Save money by buying fruits and veggies in season
• Category insights: See where most of your money goes and how to cut back
• General budgeting tips: Practical advice based on your shopping patterns

Does the app store my receipt images?

No, we do not permanently store your receipt images.

Here's what happens when you scan a receipt:

• Your receipt image is securely transmitted to Google's servers for AI processing
• Google Gemini AI extracts items, categorizes spending, and generates savings tips
• The image is deleted immediately after processing is complete
• Only the extracted data (item names, prices, categories, tips) is kept
• Your scan history is stored securely on our servers (Neon Postgres) so you can access it from anywhere

How do I delete my account and data?

You have full control over your data. Here's how to delete it:

• Delete receipt history: Go to Settings in the app and tap "Clear All History"
• Delete your account: Go to Settings and select "Delete Account", or email us at abrahimworkmail@gmail.com

When you delete your account, we will remove:

• Your email address and account information
• Any data associated with your account

Account deletion is processed within 30 days of your request.

Is my data secure?

Yes, we take security seriously:

• All data is transmitted over encrypted connections (HTTPS/TLS)
• Passwords are securely hashed using industry-standard encryption
• Receipt images are processed and immediately deleted
• Scan history is stored securely on our servers with Neon Postgres
• We never sell your personal data to third parties

For complete details, see our Privacy Policy.

Why isn't my receipt scanning correctly?

If you're having trouble scanning receipts, try these tips:

• Lighting: Make sure the receipt is well-lit without glare or shadows
• Focus: Hold your phone steady and wait for it to focus
• Flatten: Smooth out any wrinkles or folds in the receipt
• Full capture: Make sure the entire receipt is visible in the frame
• Clean lens: Wipe your camera lens if it's smudged

Some receipts with faded ink or unusual formats may be harder to read. If problems persist, contact support.

I didn't receive a verification email. What should I do?

If you haven't received your verification email:

• Check your spam or junk folder
• Make sure you entered the correct email address
• Wait a few minutes - sometimes emails are delayed
• Try requesting a new verification email from the app
• Add abrahimworkmail@gmail.com to your contacts to prevent filtering

Still having trouble? Email us at abrahimworkmail@gmail.com.