If you can’t afford an accountant, try an app on your smartphone. Many budgeting apps can help you track expenses, monitor spending, and see how your investments are doing. Here are the best budget apps we recommend for 2022.
If you’ve never used a budgeting app, you probably don’t know what to expect. Think of them as tools you can adapt to your finances. You use these apps to plan where every dollar goes.
They are different from coupon apps, which you use just before making a purchase. Tap or click here for five apps that will save you money on things you already buy. Budgeting apps are unique in that they allow you to watch your spending, increase your savings, and create personalized budget plans.
That’s why we’re sharing three of the best budget apps
You’ve probably heard of Mint, which is pretty standard. It has high ratings on both Google Play and App Store. Tap or click here to use Mint to manage your finances in one place.
People love it because it’s free and easy to use on all platforms as it syncs different types of accounts. While that’s impressive, it’s not ideal for people who want to plan their money ahead.
Mint is best for people who want to follow it and see where it goes. So if you’re looking for a more active way to control your money, here are three apps that let you manage it in new ways.
1. You need a budget. Not really. YNAB!
When looking for the best online budgeting apps, you’ll likely find YNAB neck and neck with Mint for the top spot. That’s because YNAB has a ton of robust features that you can use to support your personal financial goals.
While Mint lets you check your accounts regularly, YNAB lets you be more proactive. You get reports on net worth, expenses, and income vs. expenses.
Unlike Mint, which only lets you set a budget for a month, YNAB can set budgets for a few months in advance. However, you must pay after the free trial period ends. Costs are $14.99/month or nearly $100 for a year.
However, it may be worth it if you want a budgeting app that lets you get your hands dirty. You can be proactive, which can help you save more money than other options. It’s easy to use and has no ads or offers cluttering your screen.
2. Master your money with PocketGuard
If you tend to overspend, this is the app for you. PocketGuard uses an algorithm to track your expenses, income, and savings goals. It’s a simple and easy way to see how much you’re spending each day.
Instead of doing the math, you can break out PocketGuard and see how it simplifies expense tracking and bill monitoring. PocketGuard’s In My Pocket feature shows that you have plenty of disposable income after paying bills, saving for goals, and setting aside money for your needs and wants.
It creates different reports so that you can understand your financial health from different angles. For example, it can share a report on your spending habits, so you can find out where you’re overspending.
These customizable reports help you better understand your financial situation. Since you can connect multiple accounts, you can get an overview of your financial situation in one place. You can track your expenses and pay off your debts by setting up personalized repayment schedules and strategies.
Oh, and PocketGuard comes with a bill organizer feature so you never miss due dates again. It’s a great way to stretch your dollar even further, although there’s a bit of a learning curve. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t use it to its full potential right away. There’s a lot to learn, so take your time and let PocketGuard help you.
3. Qube Money mixes modern comfort with old school style
In the past, people used the cash envelope system. It’s exactly what it says on the box. People created envelopes and wrote “Vacation budget” or “College budget”. Over time, they slipped money into each envelope until they finally reached their goal.
Now that everything is digitized, few people use this system anymore. But if you yearn for a return to those old styles of budgeting, you’re in luck. Qube Money is like the old envelope system – but in app form. It uses a digital card system which you can use to set different budgets.
First, you transfer money to your Qube Cloud. Then you can create different qubes, or envelopes, to reflect your budget goals. If you want, the app can automatically split your money equally across different accounts.
Qube Money has custom features to give you maximum control over your budgets. For example, you can choose which envelope you spend from before making a big purchase. You can even set it to automatically limit spending habits. Even better, it has a robust security system thanks to its Default Zero features.
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