Things are fairly expensive at the moment, aren’t they? Depending on your lifestyle, the cost of an average day out can be depressingly high, while bills aren’t cheap either.
In order to make some savings during these financially testing times, many people are downloading a variety of budgeting apps on their smartphone devices in 2022.
Budgeting apps can help you understand your income and spending, while also providing a clear overview of your finances on a smartphone device that you probably use on a daily basis anyway.
Alongside accessing games to win real money and updating social media statuses, millions of people manage their finances through the help of an app or two that can be housed on their miniature handheld devices.
Apps in this space don’t just help with income and spending in a dull way either, with many people making use of a selection of clever features that keep your financial situation in a good shape.
While there are some poor apps in this space, there are others that are well-made, easy to use, and genuinely make a big difference to people’s lives.
After all, financial stress is a common issue in today’s world, so why wouldn’t you want to download an app that can help you stay on top of your finances?
With that in mind, let’s take a look at four of the best budgeting apps right now.
PocketGuard
Available for free or via a paid subscription, PocketGuard curbs overspending and helps keep its users on track when it comes to their finances.
Using an algorithm to monitor income, expenses and savings goals, this well-designed product will offer tips and tricks on how to spend less, while also notifying you when any bills are due.
There’s also an automated savings feature which allows you to set a goal and save for it, alongside the ability to create your own categories to enable you to track things more easily.
Mint
One of the most popular options, Mint is a free budgeting app that has over 25 million users at the time of writing.
Known for its slick design and for being easy to use, the Mint app is great for setting up bill reminders, while many people also utilize other options, such as being able to track all investments and accessing credit scores.
If you’re looking to improve your spending habits, then Mint is a great option. There’s a blog and additional education resources, such as a home affordability calculator and a loan repayment calculator, too.
You Need A Budget (YNAB)
A renowned option in this particular app category, the You Need a Budget (YNAB) app is a favored choice for many budgeters.
The app isn’t free for the best results, but the free version is worth trying before diving into a paid plan.
With the ability to sync your bank accounts, you can then track all of your payments and save money with a selection of helpful tips and recommendations.
The app also boasts video courses, live workshops, guides, and a whole lot more.
Zeta
A great option for couples, in particular, Zeta is a fantastic way of gaining a joint overview of your finances.
Whether you’re just married or you’re new parents, you can sync your various accounts in order to track spending habits, assess your net worth, and handle bills in a more manageable manner.
Through Zeta, couples can also make the most of a joint no-fee banking account and cards with a range of impressive features.
If you and your partner are in need of a budgeting app, then Zeta is easily the best option around.
Honeydue
Honeydue is an app that is marketed around the idea of saving with a partner.
It could be a couple saving up for that first home, or business partners dreaming of launching their own startup.
The point is that it is about collaborative saving and budgeting. The best part about it is that it allows for syncing of bank accounts, cards, loans, etc., but it also allows customization in terms of privacy.
In short, you don’t need to show your partner everything.
One criticism, however, is that Honeydue is more retroactive, i.e., about looking at past spending, rather than proactive, helping you make smarter budgets for the future.
Concluding Thoughts
Technology in and of itself is not going to help you save money. Rather, it can act as a catalyst for saving. What’s the difference?
These apps can give you the tools to be a better budgeter, but it still comes back to the saver’s own sense of determination and organizational skills.
Still, downloading one of these (don’t be afraid to switch if you feel it’s not working) is going to be a good step on your road to managing a better budget.
