Compare like with like
Halfway through the month, a full previous month is the wrong reference. Pulse lines up each previous month to the same day, so the 15th is compared with the 15th.
What “usual” means
Your usual pace comes from up to six previous calendar months with spending. With fewer than two, Pulse waits and shows your simple trajectory instead.
The reason, not only the number
Under “$657 over usual” you see why: spread across categories, or mostly one, such as Dentist. Open “The month so far” for the full breakdown, with amounts that add up exactly to the difference.
Ours and Mine never mix
In Ours, Pulse reads the shared spending that counts toward the month. In Mine, only your personal spending, which only you see.
Questions
How is my usual pace calculated?
From up to six previous calendar months that had spending, each cut at the same day of the month as today. You need at least two of them.
Is Pulse financial advice?
No. It describes your own spending against your own history. It does not recommend financial products or decisions.
Does it work for personal spending?
Yes. In Mine, Pulse compares your personal month with your personal usual, and only you see it.