17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (2024)

    So you know when you can actually afford the pub.

    by Chelsey PippinBuzzFeed Staff, UK
    17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (2)

    thinkstock.co.uk / Chelsey Pippin / BuzzFeed

    1. Spending Tracker

    4.5/5 Rating, Free

    This cute expense and income tracker makes it easy to see how your spending adds up. With a simple interface that pits money in against money out, it's great for keeping track of how you're using your money and keeping tabs on what's leftover for a pint!

    It's the best of basic, says one helpful review of the Android version: "Simple enough for someone who doesn't want complicated apps to manage their expenses."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    2. OnTrees

    4.5/5 Rating, Free

    If you want clear tracking of exactly where your money is going so you can make your budget according to how you spend, check out the excellent OnTrees.

    It's super easy and intuitive, according to this helpful review: "It works seamlessly and works with all of my bank accounts. And once it learns about your account transactions it then remembers them flawlessly."

    Get it for iOS. Android users can check out the web version, or try the similar Expense Manager app.

    3. OneReciept

    3.3/5 Rating, £0.69

    This receipts app is great for keeping a visual record of your spending whether it's to turn in work expenses or just for a really tangible expense tracker.

    It's super easy, says this review of the iOS version: "With this app it's very convenient to keep record of receipts, simply click and record the details."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    4. MySuperMarket

    4.1/5 Rating, Free

    This helpful app won't track your finances but will help you spend more effectively on household items and groceries. Just type your grocery list into the app, and it will tell you how to make the most of your money, from letting you know which supermarket is selling a product cheapest to what alternatives will save you money.

    Mind to connect your phone to Wi-Fi before using the app, as reviewers noted it can suck up data, but they also maintain it's super helpful: "Love the app and have saved a fortune on the shopping bill over the past few months since started using it. It is a real eye opener on the differing prices and offers that the supermarkets have."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    5. You Need A Budget

    4.5/5 Rating, Free

    You need a budget is a brilliant way to manage your money: you can track expenses as well as make micro-budgets for smaller categories, so you've got complete control of every nook and cranny of your finances.

    This review of the iOS version says it all: "I have tried many approaches to achieving personal financial control in the past but nothing touches YNAB with the budget control and spending analysis, ability to input transactions and monitor spending on the move and, now, being able to control budget categories on the iPad version while away from the PC."

    Get if for Android and iOS.

    6. Splitwise

    4.5/5 Rating, Free

    This easy way of tracking shared expenses is a must for partners, housemates, and bffs.

    One reviewer called the Android version "the only app I trust to keep track of who owes whom and how much."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    7. Spent

    17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (15)

    itunes.apple.com!/id660024354?mt=8

    17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (16)

    itunes.apple.com!/id660024354?mt=8

    4/5 Rating, Free

    If you're splitting the bill with lots of friends, managing loans between groups was never easier than with Spent! The app's well-organised and visual interface helps you keep track of who paid for what, and is great for going on holidays with friends or managing the daily expenses with housemates.

    Get it for iOS. Android users who want to work out holiday expenses with friends, check out Travel Money.

    8. BillMonitor

    4/5 Rating, Free

    Keep track of bills and payments with this handy app to remind you to pay in on time.

    It's also great for keep tracking of already paid bills, says a review: "I love this it keeps me on point with my bills monthly and I know exactly what date they were paid."

    Get it for iOS, or try similar Bills for Android.

    9. Wally

    4/5 Rating, Free

    With a friendly and comprehensive interface, Wally helps you plan and manage short and long-term budgets with ease, and make it simple for you to look over your spending habits.

    A helpful review for the iOS version says "it is everything I need to keep track of my finances. It tells me exactly what I spent, where and when. Tells me how much is left for today. And I can specify how much I want to save a month."

    Regular international travellers might want to seek out a more extensive money manager, however, since the app can't handle multiple currencies.

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    10. GoodBudget

    4.3/5 Rating, Free

    If you're a proponent of the envelope budgeting system, this digital manager will save your life and keep you up to date on all your finances.

    It's a reliable, longterm budgeting solution says a review of the Android version: "Starting month seven using this app and I couldn't imagine managing my money without it now."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    11. Debts Break

    4.5/5 Rating, Free

    Tracking your regular expenses and bills can be a pain enough, so if you're paying off credit debts you'll need a dedicated app to help you manage your various payment schedules and calculate the best plan to get you paid off quickly.

    The sleek and useful interface of the Debts Break app is perfect for getting you out of debt, reviewers of the iOS praised the "beautiful design that provides charts to help you see visually when you will be debt free."

    Get it for iOS. Android users should check out the similar Debt Planner & Calculator.

    12. Pocket Expense

    3.6/5 Rating, Free

    If you want a tracker with some customisable options and the ability to create categories, Pocket Expense is the way to go.

    A cool interface helps, according to a review of the iOS version: "the graphs it uses are a really cool way for you to see which categories you spend money on the most which can help you set budgets."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    13. Spend Today – Save Tomorrow

    17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (27)

    17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (28)

    3.5/5 Rating, Free

    Program your income and expensive into the Spend Today app for helpful analytics and tips to make your budget work on a day-to-day basis. The practical app helps you consider when you want to spend and how.

    One helpful reviewer summed it up: "This app is quite good as a budgeting finance app, its design is simple and quite stylish. The feature of having a daily budget and keeping within it I find works really well."

    Get it for iOS.

    14. 52 Weeks Money Challenge

    4.1/5 Rating, Free

    This useful app helps you manage a year-long savings plan and achieve your financial goals. Plug in what you're saving for, and the price, and the app will calculate how much you need to put aside every week to reach your goal within a year.

    The app is a great way to follow a simple saving plan, but if you want flexibility and customisable options, look elsewhere. Says one review of the Android version: "This app is so cool. The only thing I suggest is to add an option to those people who prefer to do the 52 week challenge in reverse order."

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    15. Left to Spend

    3.5/5 Rating, £3.99

    Minimalists will love the simple and effective money managing interface of Left to Spend. If you're not interesting in monitering the categories of your spending or find some of the more detailed finance apps overwhelming, this app is perfect for doing the very basic math you need not to go into debt.

    "It's beautiful, simple, and does exactly what it says it does," says a review of the iOS app.

    Get it for iOS. Android users should check out the similar and free Left for Spending app.

    16. Monny

    4.5/5 Rating, Free

    If you're looking to monitor your spending as well as develop your money sense, Monny is a great option. The app offers all the features and analytics of a finance tracking app, plus the opportunity to take challenges to help you improve your financial responsibility and learn how to manage money more effectively.

    Get it for iOS.

    17. Daily Spender

    4/5 Rating, Free

    This app is designed for monitoring your travel spending through its simple and clear interface.

    It's also adaptable to everyday use, says a helpful review of the Android version: "This is a really good and simple app that helps you manage your cash on trips, I tried using it on a day to day basis and its been really helpful, I'd definitely recommend it!"

    Get it for Android and iOS.

    17 Apps You Need If You're Bad With Money (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the 50 30 20 rule? ›

    The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings.

    What's the best app to help with finances? ›

    Best budgeting apps
    • Best app for planners: Simplifi by Quicken.
    • Best app for serious budgeters: You Need a Budget (YNAB)
    • Best app for beginner budgeters: Goodbudget.
    • Best app for investors: Empower.
    • Best app for over-spenders: PocketGuard.
    • Best app for couples: Honeydue.

    What is the #1 budgeting app? ›

    The best budgeting apps, ranked*
    RankingPlatform nameMobile app availability
    1Rocket MoneyBoth iOS and Android
    2SimplifiBoth iOS and Android
    3YNABBoth iOS and Android
    4Monarch MoneyBoth iOS and Android
    10 more rows
    Feb 23, 2024

    What is the best budget app without linking bank account? ›

    The YNAB app is the best budget app if you're not interested in linking anything directly to your bank account. While YNAB does allow you to automatically sync your accounts and many people prefer to do it that way, you don't have to.

    Is $4000 a good savings? ›

    Are you approaching 30? How much money do you have saved? According to CNN Money, someone between the ages of 25 and 30, who makes around $40,000 a year, should have at least $4,000 saved.

    How to budget $4000 a month? ›

    How To Budget Using the 50/30/20 Rule
    1. 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,000 (0.50 X 4,000 = $2,000)
    2. 30% for wants and discretionary spending = $1,200 (0.30 X 4,000 = $1,200)
    3. 20% for savings and debt repayment = $800 (0.20 X 4,000 = $800)
    Oct 26, 2023

    What is the Rocket money app? ›

    Rocket Money is a free budgeting app that offers limited budgeting features for no cost. If you want to create unlimited budgets, customize your budget categories or access features like automated savings, you'll need to pay for a Premium subscription, which costs between $4 and $12 per month.

    How does Zeta work? ›

    Zeta is a financial technology company that focuses on providing a joint banking experience through its mobile app. (Deposits are handled by Piermont Bank, member FDIC.) Users can easily share bills and manage finances through Joint and Personal accounts.

    Is there a free financial app? ›

    Saving and Investing: Webull

    If you liked Mint because its portfolio tracking software helped you save and invest, turn your attention to Webull. This free app not only tracks your investments to keep your financial plan on track, you can research, screen and trade securities such as stocks, ETFs and options.

    Why is Mint shutting down? ›

    According to its parent company, Intuit, Mint wasn't making enough money, so Intuit began the app's closure in January.

    Why is Mint going away? ›

    Mint recently announced: “Reimagining Mint as part of Intuit Credit Karma will expand our capabilities,” which is them trying to put a positive spin on the fact that they're shutting down their budgeting app capabilities—and Mint budgeters won't be able to access their budgeting accounts or continue budgeting starting ...

    What is better, Rocket money or Mint? ›

    Premium Rocket Money users also get credit reports and real-time alerts for changes impacting your credit score. But we prefer Mint over Rocket Money for credit reporting and monitoring since it's free. Winner: Mint offers free credit reports and monitoring.

    What's better than Rocket money? ›

    Several alternatives to Mint and Rocket Money are available. Free options include Goodbudget, SoFi Insights, Empower, and Money Manager. Other budgeting apps like YNAB (you need a budget), Quicken Simplifi, Monarch Money, and PocketGuard have a nominal cost.

    Is Rocket money a good app? ›

    Is Rocket Money safe? Rocket Money utilizes the same security technology as banks do including 256-bit encryption. Its partner, Plaid, is trusted by many prominent fintech companies including Venmo. In short, Rocket Money is about as safe as any online financial service can be.

    What is better than mint? ›

    My top Mint alternative picks: Quicken Simplifi and Copilot Money. To conclude, you might be wondering what app I decided on for myself after all of this research. The answer is actually two apps: Quicken Simplifi, my overall top pick, and Copilot Money.

    What is a 50/30/20 budget example? ›

    Applying the 50/30/20 rule would give them a monthly budget of: 50% for mandatory expenses = $2,500. 20% to savings and debt repayment = $1,000. 30% for wants and discretionary spending = $1,500.

    Is the 50 30 20 rule outdated? ›

    However, the key difference is it moves 10% from the "savings" bucket to the "needs" bucket. "People may be unable to use the 50/30/20 budget right now because their needs are more than 50% of their income," Kendall Meade, a certified financial planner at SoFi, said in an email.

    What is the disadvantage of the 50 30 20 rule? ›

    It may not work for everyone. Depending on your income and expenses, the 50/30/20 rule may not be realistic for your individual financial situation. You may need to allocate a higher percentage to necessities or a lower percentage to wants in order to make ends meet. It doesn't account for irregular expenses.

    When should you not use the 50 30 20 rule? ›

    The 50/30/20 has worked for some people — especially in past years when the cost of living was lower — but it's especially unfeasible for low-income Americans and people who live in expensive cities like San Francisco or New York. There, it's next to impossible to find a rent or mortgage at half your take-home salary.

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