The best budgeting and finance tools for home and business

The Mint budgeting app has been folded into Credit Karma, owned by Intuit. It’s been around since 2006, so it’s a shame to see it go. Worry not! There are other options out there.

What to look for in a budgeting app

Don’t just blindly choose the first app that pops up when you search for budgeting apps. There are several factors to consider when selecting the one that fits your needs best.

Security

Most budgeting apps have you connect your credit cards and bank accounts and enter personal information, including your most delicate passwords. That’s a lot of faith given to one app.

With hackers being a constant concern, security should be your number one priority when choosing the right budgeting app. Do they have a history of being hacked? Does the application offer two-factor authentication? Be sure to check the security settings of an app before making a final choice.

Cost

Budgeting apps typically have a free option, but many require upgrading if you want premium options. This doesn’t mean you should avoid the paid apps, but you’ll want to ensure the purchase is worth it for your budgeting needs.

Features

Not every app is created equal. Some will let you track all your financial accounts, and some are more limited. Investigate a few apps before choosing so you can see which features are the most valuable to you and if they are worth paying for. Now onto the apps.

You Need A Budget (YNAB)

When you look up the best budgeting apps online, you’ll probably find YNAB. That’s because it has a ton of robust features you can use to take charge of your personal finance goals.

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Master Excel with these 5 genius tricks

You can’t keep track of everything on paper. Excel can play a significant role in your daily workload. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro user, there’s much to learn — like these five useful Excel tricks.

Want to become an Excel expert? It’s a good strategy for small business owners who want to grow this year. After all, you’ll generate tons of data. Speaking of which, here’s how to stop third parties from selling your data.

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Cheaper phone bill, please: Not everyone has unlimited data. If you use Chrome on iOS, here’s an easy way to lower your data usage. In the lower right corner of Chrome, tap the three dots > Settings > Bandwidth > Preload Webpages > Only on Wi-Fi. Done!

💸 Amazon’s new budget battleground: Say hello to Amazon Haul, their latest venture geared toward selling ultra-cheap items (think under $20). Why? Because Shein and Temu are mopping the floor with Amazon. With Haul, expect to find items like $2 earrings, $10 blenders and, yes, even a $20 wedding dress. (Pro tip: Don’t walk down the aisle in that!) Don’t expect Prime’s speedy shipping, either; your order will take one or two weeks since it’s coming from China. Heads-up: You can only shop Amazon Haul through the Amazon app for now.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Sick of QuickBooks? There’s a better way!

Stop fighting with spreadsheets and trying to figure out what the heck you did with last year’s inventory list. I have the solution — my sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle.

You get visibility and control of your financials, inventory, HR, planning, budgeting, and more — all from one easy dashboard. Don’t just take my word for it — over 37,000 businesses already use NetSuite.

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Small business owners, it’s time to upgrade

If your company is growing, you may need more than just Microsoft Excel to keep track of everything. You need high-quality finance software that gives you the complete picture. With our sponsor, NetSuite by Oracle, you can:

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Would you let ChatGPT write your wedding vows?

Picture this: It’s the night before your wedding and you’re frantically trying to pen your vows. You know, the most important exchange you’ll have with your sweetheart on the most memorable day of your lives! No pressure.

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The true cost of cash advance apps

Need money to pay bills in a pinch? Many rely on cash advance apps to make it to their next check. While these services offer a helping hand, you could wind up in a jam if you’re not careful.

A recent study took a deep dive into 15 of today’s most popular cash advance apps. The scoop? An advance might cost more than you bargained (or budgeted) for. 

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10 free budgeting spreadsheets to help get a handle on your money

Keeping track of your finances can be a daunting task. Wouldn’t it be great to know exactly where your money was?

When I started on my own, recording and managing my finances was non-existent. If you’re not good at keeping track of what you have in your accounts or what is coming or going from those accounts, this may be the answer for you.

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Best free home inventory apps to rule the roost in style

Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of fire alarms blaring. You quickly realize your home is on fire and rush your family out of the house safely. Then you realize you never took inventory of your belongings.

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10 best travel apps to plan your next adventure

Some things may have changed since your last excursion if you haven’t traveled in forever. You might even run into sticker shock regarding airfare and hotel accommodations. Tap or click here for the best budgeting apps to help get your finances in order.

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Small biz tip: Ways to make 2023 your best year yet

Prepare your business for the new year with these five small business resolutions for 2023. We’ll help you cut costs, gain new skills and find ways to optimize your work life. It’s time to be more strategic with your marketing goals, develop your online presence and whip your finances into shape.

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Run a small business? Follow this end-of-the-year checklist before 2022 ends

The new year is right around the corner, which means it’s time for New Year’s resolutions, paperwork filing and holiday vacations. For busy business owners, there’s a lot to keep track of. Make sure you don’t forget anything important with this small business checklist.

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5 free alternatives to Microsoft Excel

When Excel first hit the market, businesses flocked to use it for their management needs. But it’s far from the only option. There are many free alternatives to Microsoft Excel you should know about.

Many people are so married to Excel they won’t consider other spreadsheets. At first glance, it seems like the perfect one-stop-shop for scheduling, accounting, compiling data, tracking sales and more. Tap or click here for three tips and tutorials that help you make the most out of Excel.

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Listener question: 'Is Dave Ramsey's budgeting app EveryDollar any good?'

There’s never a wrong time to save some money, but it’s been a crucial task during the pandemic. 

Gas prices are high, and every cent you can save on a gallon adds up by the end of the year. One way to save is to use the pumps at big-box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. A membership to shop and fuel up there isn’t free, but it could offset some of your expenses at the pump. Tap or click here to learn more.

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Budgeting tip: An easy way to slash your monthly charges

Your dollars don’t go as far these days. Sure, things are more expensive, but “buy now” buttons and shiny new services add up much faster than we’d like to believe. It’s no surprise that subscription-based business models are so popular.

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3 apps that help you manage your money in new ways

If you can’t afford an accountant, try an app on your smartphone. Many budgeting apps can help you track spending, monitor expenses and see how your investments are doing. Here are the best budget apps we recommend for 2022.

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Hackers use this trick to impersonate you or your business - Here's how to stop it

Have a side hustle or small business? Then you know how much heavy lifting goes into it.

No matter how good your product or service is, it won’t matter if nobody knows about it. You want to get the word out there and make your business stand out. Getting started can be as simple as having a great logo. Tap or click here for tips on creating the perfect logo for your business.

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5 best budgeting apps to help get your finances in order

People worldwide have had their finances upended by the stressors the pandemic created. Unemployment, unforeseen medical expenses and a fluctuating economy have made everyone understand the importance of budgeting and personal savings.

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5 budgeting worksheets to keep you on track in the new year

Managing your money can be challenging if you do it alone. First off, you’ll need solid mathematical skills to crunch the numbers yourself. A single miscalculation could throw a wrench in your financial plans if you go down that route.

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