In terms of love, the Next app is better than the Next dating show.
To honor the month of February, a month reserved for lovers (and, I suppose, fans of Punxsutawney Phil), let’s talk about a few personal finance apps I love.
Like many of you, I typically cycle through a variety of apps and abandon them after minimal usage. However, these four have stuck with me for the long haul. So, if you’re looking to find the perfect financial app for you this month, check these out.
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1. BillGuard
One of my new favorites, BillGuard allows you to track all purchases that you make on credit or debit cards. After linking your card information, BillGuard aggregates all your expenses and prompts you to “approve” each purchase, protecting you from any unwanted/fraudulent charges to your account.
BillGuard also gives you the option to categorize your purchases (e.g., groceries, clothing, and education). Then, on the back end, you can view monthly breakdowns of frequent spending areas and month-to-month spending comparisons.
Why you may love it: BillGuard could help protect you from some identify theft, while also letting you track your spending.
2. Next
Next takes spending tracking a bit further. Every time you make a purchase, you enter your expenditures into Next and assign them to a category (using picture icons, which are awesome).
Next then aggregates your spending totals based on category, with options to view your spending over the course of a day, week, month, or year. I find this most beneficial when I am trying to get my spending “across the board” under control.
Why you may love it: Next helps you to understand better where your income is going (you know, the whole “wants vs. needs” conversation).
3. Simple
We’ve talked about Simple before. This product combines an app with an actual debit card. You can transfer money directly from your checking or savings account to your Simple debit card. (I like to use this card for smaller, everyday purchases.)
Any purchases on your card link directly to your Simple account (accessed on your phone). From there, you can monitor spending, set goals, and participate in community-like conversations.
Why you may love it: Lets you bank in an entirely different fashion, and potentially avoid some pesky ATM fees along the way.
4. Fixx By SALT™
You didn’t think I would leave Fixx by SALT off this list did you?
I use this app like many of you do: to track my many fixes (coffee, iTunes, downloads of cheesy movies about the end of the world—OK, maybe not the last one). It then makes sure I stay within my limits.
Why you may love it: You may never fully fix certain wants; however, a resource like Fixx by SALT can help ensure you stay on track.
What personal finance apps do you love? Let us know in the comments.
This blog represents the thoughts of the contributor only; SALT™ does not endorse any products described here.
(Photo: AppFreakBlog)
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