Smart Device Money Savers
If you possess a smart device, be it a smartphone or an iPad, you’re like the majority of the world. Why not leverage this technology to save money by using specific apps?
LEADING BUDGETING APPS
1. BANK APPS – NO COST INVOLVED
As businesses have modernized, it’s probable that your bank has its own smartphone application which can be freely downloaded. By installing your bank’s app on your device, you can monitor your finances swiftly and effortlessly. No more being hit with unnecessary bank charges; check your balance in less than ten seconds. Most of these apps enable you to set alerts and notifications – notify you every time there’s an activity on your account, provide daily balance updates, or alert you when your account balance goes beneath a certain limit.
Moreover, several banking apps offer the convenience of paying bills from anywhere. Make the most of your time waiting in line or commuting (as long as you’re not at the wheel), and tackle your bills promptly. This will not only save time but also help you avoid costs related to check writing, postage, and unexpected overdraft fees if a company cashes your check later than anticipated. As a user of the Chase bank app, I can deposit checks right from my phone simply by taking a picture of them.
2. PAGEONCE – TOTALLY FREE
If online banking is your jam, Pageonce would be your ideal choice. I, along with many others, pay my bills online and have different bank accounts. Pageonce accommodates multiple bank accounts, as well as several other types of accounts like car loans, student loans, mortgage accounts, credit card accounts, and even travel rewards.
Combine all your accounts on a single platform! If you’re serious about online bill paying, Pageonce could be a superior alternative to using your bank’s bill pay. The cherry on the top is it’s free!
3. MINT BUDGETING APP – ZERO COST
If you’re acquainted with personal finance, you’ve likely heard about Mint.com. Mint.com’s budgeting app synchronizes with your bank account and categorizes your spending. You can personalize the categories, enabling Mint to sort your expenses accordingly.
While it’s a robust free app and website, Mint does offer a somewhat delayed view of your expenditure. Updated expenses can take up to a week to reflect in your Mint account. Furthermore, Mint’s weekly updates can feel somewhat dated, which might be vexing. The effectiveness of Mint can be questioned; however, banks also have a role to play in this, given the delay in processing transactions. Manually entering your expenses remains the most reliable method for an accurate financial overview.
4. BUDGETCARE – $1.99
As stated earlier, for an accurate and updated financial status, manually entering your expenditure into a budget app is best. While it’s simple to overlook budgets on paper, interactive budgets offered by apps like BudgetCare assist in maintaining a more disciplined approach. Although this app requires manual data entry for purchases, it holds you accountable. Would you still go for a drive-through meal knowing you’ve exhausted your monthly dining allowance?
You can personalize the categories as per your needs. The pie chart function offers a clear visual representation of your monthly expenses. You might find out you’re overspending on groceries by $100 if not for tracking.
CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
With so many sophisticated resources available, it’s inexcusable not to monitor your budget. So, which budgeting apps do you prefer, and how have they aided in your financial management?
