The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted millions of people’s household budget plans. With hundreds of thousands of people out of work, the strain on the economy is being felt strongest right at home. Now, more than ever, it’s important to manage the money you do have with prudence and forethought. It’s never smart to let money trickle down the drain, but the current situation makes it even more crucial to track every penny spent.
Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to track spending. Anyone who’s tried to record the details of every penny spent knows that it can be an uphill challenge to be precise and consistent. Luckily, there’s an app for that. Budgeting apps let you easily manage your money right from your mobile device. Here are the best ones on offer right now.
Goodbudget is ideal for those who are used to writing everything down and newly transitioning to digital budget keeping. Compatible with both Android and iOS, Goodbudget offers manual transaction entry but combines it with visual graphs and stats that let you see exactly where your money’s going. You can even sync your Goodbudget app with a family so you can track everyone’s spending. Goodbudget has both free and paid versions, making itself a budget-friendly option.
YNAB, or You Need a Budget, is a budget app geared toward those who are seeking to get out of debt. The app not only gives you fun and easy to use budgeting tools; it’s also designed to teach you how to better manage your money. If debt is holding you back from financial security, YNAB could be a smart option. The drawback is that the app itself is $11.99 per month or $84 per year. While not for the cash-strapped, YNAB is a useful tool for becoming debt-free.
PocketGuard is a free budget app that aims to simply money management for just about everyone. The way it works is that a budget is designed for you that’s based on your existing spending habits. This can be a real eye-opener for anyone who doesn’t currently track their spending. Once the budget is made, you can then make adjustments right in the app. PocketGuard lets you set goals for yourself, such as saving for a specific item like a downpayment on a house or a new car. It’s chock full of graphics that help you to visualize your spending and savings habits. This alone can be a strong motivator to save more. Finally, PocketGuard comes with some financial product offerings that can further help you save money on insurance, car loans and mortgages. The biggest drawback to PocketGuard is that it’s only compatible with iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch.
Making and keeping a budget isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. But with the assistance of a budgeting app, it can be a no-brainer that helps you curb spending, save money and learn more about money management. Maybe it’s time to take control of your finances and try out a new budgeting app for yourself!