These 7 budgeting apps are all less than $3 to download — but they'll save you much more money in the long run

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As impressed with myself as I was upon its completion, my Excel spreadsheet of a monthly budget is not as helpful as I wish it was. With so many columns and numbers, it can lose all meaning when I expand to full view, and it takes a lot of upkeep. 

It isn’t up-to-date, and there’s really no way I’m going to go through my mobile banking app to track all those CVS purchases for proper categorization.

As a result, it’s hard to tell where I’m at on a daily basis, and that means it’s hard to stick to my goals even though I might like to. It also means that it’s hard to identify problem areas I’m unaware of. For instance, I know that I spend too much on takeout, but really how much is it? Is it that bad?

In the same way that wearable fitness trackers make being active (and gauging your fitness level) easier by collecting the data for you and supplying infographics, digital budgeting apps do much the same thing.

Upon realizing this, I gladly forked over money for an app that would save me hours of tracking my personal finances, and as a result, I’ve been much happier to adhere to my goals — which is definitely in my best interest. A little bit upfront should hopefully save me much more in the long run.

If you could benefit from a streamlining of your finances and an easier way to save for that trip in the fall, you can find some of the best budgeting apps available below, including a cheat sheet of their features.

Spendee

iTunes

Personally, I've had a lot of budgets and still not been able to figure out how and where my money went to. Instead of a traditional budget, Spendee shows you how you're spending your money so you can actually see the habits you should be trying to change.

You can track your cash, credit, and debit purchases easily here. It's an easy interface to use and the infographics Spendee generates are easy to understand in new ways.

It's free to download and Premium accounts in-app are either $2.99 or $22.99, while Plus accounts are either $1.99 or $14.99 depending on your needs. 

Download Spendee here.

GoodBudget

iTunes

GoodBudget makes use of the envelope budget system. You can put certain chunks of money into digital envelopes for allotted uses, like groceries or eating out, and know exactly how much you're spending on each. 

The app will sync across all iPhone and Android devices, so your partner will be able to see an updated sense of their finances and the same detailed breakdown. 

GoodBudget is free to download, but has the option for a 3-month plus plan for $15 or a 6-month plus plan for $24. Basically, you'll just get more of what you have for free (envelopes, budget history, accounts, and devices) if you need them.

Download Goodbuget here.

 

YNAB — You Need A Budget

iTunes

YNAB or, You Need A Budget, will help you make your own budget, but one that is as flexible as possible. It works off a simple methodology, so every dollar you're projected to earn is given a 'job' — meaning spent or saved. Since you might just be getting started, there's also educational material available in the app.

It'll sync across all your devices so they'll be up-to-date in real time, which is particularly convenient for shared finances. You can easily move money between categories, in case you're out with friends and need to throw a little more money into "Entertainment."

It's free to use for 34 days. After that, it's $50 for the year or $5 per month to use the service that works on your computer as well as your phone. 

Download YNAB here.

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