What apps and online tools are people using these days? I am looking for something that can connect to my bank accounts, credit cards, Venmo, PayPal and help me look at my expenditures. Tools don’t need to be free, but I’m looking for something consumer-friendly. We are a family of two adults and two kids, and our finances are out of control. We have no idea what we are spending all of our money on, but it all disappears every month!
I have Rocket Money. It’s easy to use, and you can connect all your accounts in one place.
I usually recommend YNAB or MyBudgetCoach. They are both ‘zero-based’ budgets, which is the modern version of cash envelopes. They help you plan for your money before you spend it. YNAB is big in the zero-based space, but MyBudgetCoach gives you access to a real-life coach, which can help with the learning curve.
@Macon
Thank you! Is Monarch backward-looking like Mint? I think we may need both strategies: looking back to understand what we’ve been spending on, and then something forward-looking to help us change habits. Usability is key since we have ADHD and limited patience for complicated processes.
@Ziv
Monarch isn’t strictly backward-looking, but it can import old transactions from a CSV file to give you an idea of your spending habits. I’d recommend giving a few apps a try (most have free trials) to see which works best for you.
Mary Hunt has a simple budgeting spreadsheet. It doesn’t connect to banks but helps track expenses if you’re more hands-on. Been using it for over 30 years.
Tate said:
Mary Hunt has a simple budgeting spreadsheet. It doesn’t connect to banks but helps track expenses if you’re more hands-on. Been using it for over 30 years.
Thanks! I think we prefer an automatic approach that links to bank accounts, as we don’t have the time or executive functioning to track everything manually.
If you’re comfortable with spreadsheets but want automation, check out Tiller. It integrates with your accounts and automates data imports into Google or Excel sheets. If you want something that offers more functionality without needing to build it yourself, Good Steward is another option. We offer detailed reports and proactive planning.
I recommend Fina (Fina Money). It’s flexible and great for managing multiple profiles or family budgeting.