One of the most challenging aspects of growing up is learning how to manage your money. Your paycheck comes in and suddenly, half of it is already spoken for—thanks to rent, bills, and that morning cup of coffee you can’t live without. (Did you know that the average American spends $1,200 a year on unnecessary purchases? This includes things like eating out instead of cooking, signing up for last-minute fitness classes, and splurging on new clothes or accessories.)
[Related: Levo’s 2015 Entry-Level Salary Report]
That is exactly why it’s never too early to learn how to budget. Budgeting has never been easier (or more customizable) due to technology. Want to help curb over-spending? Task completed. Do you need some money for something larger, like a house or a automobile? I’ve got you covered. With that in mind, here are ten amazing tools you should be aware of in 2016:
1. Mint (iPhone, Android)
Mint is the original of financial apps, making it very simple to acquire a comprehensive view of your finances. Getting your finances in order is simple: just add your bank accounts, credit cards, and bills to the app, and get a clear picture of how much money you have and what you owe. You may do a complete checkup on your spending habits and what you might be spending too much money on in less than 10 minutes.
2. You Need a Budget (iPhone, Android, Desktop)
You Need a Budget has four rules for budgeting success and stress-free finances: focus on each incoming dollar and assign it a job, think about larger and unanticipated expenditures ahead of time, stay focused by not spending more than you have planned. When you overspend, roll with the punches and learn how to live on last month’s income. There’s a one-time charge of $60, but you may test it out for free to see if it’s suitable for you.
3. Pocketsmith (Desktop)
We understand that retirement seems like a long way off, but Pocketsmith’s mission is to ensure that you are well-equipped. This tool not only allows you to see your future balances and schedule upcoming bills, but it also breaks your budget down into manageable time periods. With the what-if scenario feature, you can test out different financial decisions to see how they will play out in the long run – without having to wait 30 years! This is almost like having a time machine.
4. Buxfer (iPhone, Android)
This app will be your new favorite if you’re concerned about privacy. Instead of entering complex passwords, Buxfer allows you to upload bank statements. They don’t keep any of your information on their servers; everything is stored on your computer. Another great thing about this app is that you can pay friends back (or get reimbursed yourself) through Amazon Payments, which is really easy to use.
[Related: 38 Ways to Save Money Without Trying (Much)]
5. Ready for Zero (iPhone, Android)
It’s all too easy to get into debt. If you’re looking for ways to pay off your credit cards and student loans quickly, Ready for Zero can assist you accomplish it in half the time. You’ll get a unique strategy for overcoming your debt after you’ve linked it to your finances and discovered what you owe. It’s been much simpler to figure out difficult statements.
6. Level Money (iPhone, Android)
Level is an excellent tool for people who are visual learners and prefer simplistic designs. Although it might not be the best choice for tracking spending over long periods of time, Level does provide users with a clear overview of their finances.
7. Mvelopes (iPhone, Android)
Mvelopes is a virtual replica of the traditional envelope approach, in which you set aside real envelopes of cash for each area of your budget, such as groceries and rent. Keep track of your spending and know exactly how much you have left to spend- all without the fear of losing physical cash.
8. Wally (iPhone, Android)
To date, we’ve covered the basics of investing in stocks but have yet to discuss Wally. This program helps you take control of your finances by allowing you to compare your income to your expenses, set and achieve goals, and figure out how you spend your money. We really appreciate having the ability to save receipts pictures for documentation with each expense you record. It’s 1000 percent more helpful than leaving them crumpled up in your handbag.
9. EveryDollar (iPhone, coming to Android in 2016)
EveryDollar is a budgeting tool created by Dave Ramsey, a financial expert and New York Times bestselling author. It helps users follow his famous Baby Steps program to get out of debt and reduce stress levels. Once it’s gone, you can truly save money. The most popular use for this program is to manage daily spending. If you’re not quite where you want to be, you may make changes as needed.
10. Spendee (iPhone, Android)
Spendee lets you have all of the enjoyment. This program not only implements common category budgeting in various wallets, but it also offers some unique bonuses. You can share your wallet with ease to family and friends, filter transactions into categories for organization, or even see where you spend the most money through a Google map-like layout. You may (or may not) be surprised to learn where you most frequently use your credit card.
